once upon a time dueling with swords was the gentlemanly way to settle a point of honor
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The item is made of iron or steel and resembles a small sword with a curved tip.—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025 The original sword requested by administration officials was given to Eisenhower in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025 In the end, when Malcolm pulls out a sword on him, Brian is given little choice but to kill Malcolm in front of Ellen in the ensuing battle, tainting the start of the happy couple’s life together.—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025 The fighting shows Aang using his airbending, while also entering the Avatar State for some powerful moves; Zuko firebending and donning his Blue Spirit mask and swords; Korra using all four elements and also using the Avatar State; and much more elemental fighting.—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sword
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swert sword
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of sword was
before the 12th century
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