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épée

noun
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\ ˈe-ˌpā How to pronounce épée (audio) , ā-ˈpā How to pronounce épée (audio) \

Definition of épée

1 : a fencing or dueling sword having a bowl-shaped guard and a rigid blade of triangular section with no cutting edge that tapers to a sharp point blunted for fencing — compare foil entry 4 sense 1, saber
2 : the art or sport of fencing with the épée

Illustration of épée

Illustration of épée

épée 1

Examples of épée in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The small sword, called an epee, is made of silver and gold with a dazzling hilt of nine large and 770 small diamonds. — NBC News, "German jewel heist thieves walked off with 49 carat diamond, authorities confirm," 28 Nov. 2019 Olympic fencing bronze medalist Kelley Hurley of San Antonio won her third consecutive Pan American Championships in women’s epee Saturday in Havana, Cuba. — David Barron, Houston Chronicle, "Kelley Hurley wins fencing gold at Pan American Championships," 18 June 2018 Practitioners spend hours in costumes that evoke military traditions, learning Russian military history and fencing with sharp swords, including foils, epees and sabres. — Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, "World Cup host set for historical fencing to forget soccer," 1 July 2018 The Hurley sisters, who won a bronze medal in women’s team epee at the 2012 Olympics, joined Katherine Holmes of Washington, D.C., and Natalie Vie of Phoenix on the women’s epee team that defeated Russia in overtime to win the World Cup team event. — David Barron, Houston Chronicle, "Fencers Courtney, Kelley Hurley win gold at World Cup," 7 May 2018 Among epee, foil and saber, which is the most difficult to master? — Marvin Pave, BostonGlobe.com, "Brandeis fencing coach Bill Shipman looks back on his career," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'épée.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of épée

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for épée

French, from Old French espee, Latin spatha

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Cite this Entry

“épée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9p%C3%A9e. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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