saber
saber Lexical Profile
saber Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A heavy cavalry sword with a slightly curved, single-edged blade and a protective hilt.
"The historical museum displayed an ornate ceremonial saber from the nineteenth century."
American A lightweight, flexible fencing weapon with a flat, tapering blade and a full hand guard, used for both cutting and thrusting, or the competitive discipline in which it is used.
"She won the collegiate championship after switching from foil to saber in her sophomore year."
• verb
American To strike, cut, or open with a saber (including the ceremonial opening of a champagne bottle by sliding a blade along its neck).
"To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the sommelier sabered a bottle of vintage champagne on the terrace."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Saber" is the standard American English spelling, whereas "sabre" is preferred in British, Canadian, and international fencing contexts.
• Rhymes for saber
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from French "sabre", via German "Säbel", ultimately deriving from Hungarian "szablya" (literally "tool for cutting"), from the verb "szabni" ("to cut").