sword
    n 1: a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade
         and a hilt with a hand guard [syn: sword, blade,
         brand, steel]

Sword \Sword\ (s[=o]rd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to
   OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G.
   schwert, Icel. sver[eth], Sw. sv[aum]rd, Dan. svaerd; of
   uncertain origin.]
   1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually
      sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is
      the general term, including the small sword, rapier,
      saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
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   2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or
      of authority and power.
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            He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain. --Rom.
                                                  xiii. 4.
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            She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
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            I came not to send peace, but a sword. --Matt. x.
                                                  34.
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   4. The military power of a country.
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            He hath no more authority over the sword than over
            the law.                              --Milton.
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   5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand
      loom is suspended.
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   Sword arm, the right arm.

   Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and
      which can be used as a sword.

   Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an
      officer in London who carries a sword before the lord
      mayor when he goes abroad.

   Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne
      at the side.

   Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword.

   Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or
      dagger, as in a sheath.

   Sword dance.
      (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed
          together by the male dancers. --Sir W. Scott.
      (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but
          without touching them.

   Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with
      swords; swordplay.

   Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen.

   Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.

   Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence.
      --Milton.

   Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus.

   Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so
      called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture.

   Sword shrimp (Zool.), a European shrimp (Pasiphaea
      sivado) having a very thin, compressed body.

   Sword stick, a sword cane.

   To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t.

   To put to the sword. See under Put.
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Sword
   of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a
   sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1
   Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).
   
     It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12;
   78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov.
   12:18). The word of God is likened also to a sword (Heb. 4:12;
   Eph. 6:17; Rev. 1:16). Gideon's watchword was, "The sword of the
   Lord" (Judg. 7:20).