brown-bill

English

Etymology

brown +‎ bill; see bill (“sword”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈbɹaʊnbɪl/

Noun

brown-bill (plural brown-bills)

  1. (historical) A type of halberd used by mediaeval foot-soldiers.
    • 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe
      The tramp of horses was now heard, and the Lady Rowena appeared, surrounded by several riders, and a much stronger party of footmen, who joyfully shook their pikes and clashed their brown-bills for joy of her freedom.
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