broadsword
broadsword Lexical Profile
broadsword Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A general term used informally in fantasy and popular culture to describe any heavy, wide-bladed medieval sword.
"The knight in the novel drew a heavy broadsword to defend the castle gates against the invaders."
A sword with a straight, broad, flat blade primarily designed for cutting rather than thrusting, typically featuring a basket hilt and intended for one-handed use.
"The museum displayed an impressive collection of Scottish highland broadswords used during the Jacobite risings."
Word Nuance & Usage
Historically, 'broadsword' specifically refers to a one-handed, wide-bladed military sword from the 17th to 19th centuries, though modern fantasy media frequently (and incorrectly) uses it to describe two-handed medieval longswords.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in English in the early 17th century as a compound of 'broad' and 'sword', originally used to distinguish these wider, cutting weapons from the narrower, thrust-oriented rapiers that were becoming fashionable.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.