Sword dance

Sword dance
Sword Sword (s[=o]rd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sver[eth], Sw. sv["a]rd, Dan. sv[ae]rd; of uncertain origin.] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power. [1913 Webster]

He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain. --Rom. xiii. 4. [1913 Webster]

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. [1913 Webster]

I came not to send peace, but a sword. --Matt. x. 34. [1913 Webster]

4. The military power of a country. [1913 Webster]

He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. [1913 Webster]

{Sword arm}, the right arm.

{Sword bayonet}, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which can be used as a sword.

{Sword bearer}, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad.

{Sword belt}, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side.

{Sword blade}, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword.

{Sword cane}, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath.

{Sword dance}. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. --Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them.

{Sword fight}, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay.

{Sword grass}. (Bot.) See {Gladen}.

{Sword knot}, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.

{Sword law}, government by the sword, or by force; violence. --Milton.

{Sword lily}. (Bot.) See {Gladiolus}.

{Sword mat} (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture.

{Sword shrimp} (Zo["o]l.), a European shrimp ({Pasiph[ae]a sivado}) having a very thin, compressed body.

{Sword stick}, a sword cane.

{To measure swords with one}. See under {Measure}, v. t.

{To put to the sword}. See under {Put}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sword dance — Sword dances are recorded from throughout world history. There are various traditions of solo and mock battle (Pyrrhic) sword dances from Greece, the Middle East, India, China, Korea, and Japan, while all known linked ( hilt and point ) sword… …   Wikipedia

  • sword dance — sword dancer. any of various dances, usually performed by men, in which swords are ceremonially flourished or are laid on the ground and danced around. [1595 1605] * * * Folk dance by men, with swords or two handled blades, expressing themes such …   Universalium

  • sword dance — n. any dance, esp. by men, involving the use of swords, esp. one performed around bare swords laid on the ground sword dancer n …   English World dictionary

  • sword dance — n a dance in which people dance over swords or using swords …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • sword dance — sword ,dance noun count a traditional Scottish dance in which you dance around two crossed swords laid on the floor …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • sword dance — noun any of various dances by men who step nimbly over swords or flourish them in the air • Syn: ↑sword dancing • Hypernyms: ↑folk dancing, ↑folk dance * * * noun 1. : a ceremonial English and west European folk dance executed by men in a ring by …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sword dance — Schwerttänze sind eine Gruppe von Volkstänzen.Sie schließen Schützentänze, Scheinschlachttänze und Duotänze oder Solotänze, wie beispielsweise traditionelle schottische Schwerttänze, ein. Auch der Messertanz, ein mittelalterlicher Zunfttanz,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • sword dance — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms sword dance : singular sword dance plural sword dances a traditional Scottish dance in which you dance around two crossed swords laid on the floor …   English dictionary

  • sword dance — noun Date: 1604 1. a dance performed by men in a circle holding a sword in the right hand and grasping the tip of a neighbor s sword in the left hand 2. a dance performed over or around swords • sword dancer noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sword dance — noun (C) a Scottish dance in which people dance between and around swords that are laid on the ground sword dancer noun (C) sword dancing noun (U) …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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