n. Brit. an unpointed sword borne before English sovereigns at their coronation, as an emblem of mercy.
Etymology: ME f. AL curtana (spatha sword) f. AF curtain, OF cortain name of Roland's similar sword f. cort short (as CURT)
n. Brit. an unpointed sword borne before English sovereigns at their coronation, as an emblem of mercy.
Etymology: ME f. AL curtana (spatha sword) f. AF curtain, OF cortain name of Roland's similar sword f. cort short (as CURT)
Oxford English vocab. Оксфордский английский словарь. 2012