scimitar

• cimeter
• scimiter
• scimetar

First attested in 1548.

From Middle French cimeterre (15c.) or directly from Italian scimitarra, possibly from an unknown Ottoman Turkish word, from Persian شمشیر‎ (šamšir, “sword”).

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪmɪtɑːɹ/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪmɪtə(ɹ)/

• Audio pronunciation

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪmɪtə(ɹ)

scimitar (plural scimitars)

1. A sword of Persian origin that features a curved blade.
   • c. 1596-97, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II scene i:

     The Prince of Morocco:

     […] By this scimitar,

     That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince

     That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,

     I would outstare the sternest eyes that look,

     Outbrave the heart most daring on earth,

     Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,

     Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,

     To win thee, lady. […]

2. A long-handled billhook.

• scimitar-horned oryx
• scimitar pod

• falchion

scimitar (third-person singular simple present scimitars, present participle scimitaring, simple past and past participle scimitared)

1. (transitive) To strike or slice with, or as if with, a scimitar.

• Ramistic