yataghan

noun

yat·​a·​ghan ˈya-tə-ˌgan How to pronounce yataghan (audio)
ˈya-ti-gən
: a long knife or short saber that lacks a guard for the hand at the juncture of blade and hilt and that usually has a double curve to the edge and a nearly straight back

Word History

Etymology

Turkish yatağan

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yataghan was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near yataghan

Cite this Entry

“Yataghan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yataghan. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on yataghan

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!