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Definition of cutlass

cutlass

/ˈkʌt.ləs/
cut · lass
Plural:cutlasses
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cutlass Lexical Profile

cutlass Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A short, heavy sword with a slightly curved blade, historically used by sailors and pirates for close-quarters combat.

Example

"The museum displayed an authentic seventeenth-century cutlass recovered from a famous shipwreck in the Caribbean."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cutlass

• Rhymes for cutlass

• Nearby Words

cushion spurge
cusk
custard
cutlass
cutlassfish
cutlery
cutter

Word Origin & Etymology

Mid 16th century: from French 'coutelas', based on Latin 'cultellus' (small knife). The English spelling was historically altered by folk etymological association with the word 'cut'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cutlass. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cutlass
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