spontoon

noun

spon·​toon spän-ˈtün How to pronounce spontoon (audio)
: a short pike formerly borne by subordinate officers of infantry

Word History

Etymology

French sponton, from Italian spuntone, from punta sharp point, from Vulgar Latin *puncta — more at point

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spontoon was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near spontoon

Cite this Entry

“Spontoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spontoon. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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