— swordless , adj. — swordlike , adj.
/sawrd, sohrd/ , n.
1. a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.
2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc.: The pen is mightier than the sword.
3. a cause of death or destruction.
4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, esp. military force or aggression: to perish by the sword.
5. ( cap. ) Mil. the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.
6. at swords' points , mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed: Father and son are constantly at swords' point.
7. cross swords ,
a. to engage in combat; fight.
b. to disagree violently; argue: The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.
8. put to the sword , to slay; execute: The entire population of the town was put to the sword.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE sweord; c. D zwaard, G Schwert, ON sverth ]