sword: Meaning and Definition of

sword

Pronunciation: (sôrd, sōrd), [key]
  1. a weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle.
  2. this weapon as the symbol of military power, punitive justice, authority, etc.: The pen is mightier than the sword.
  3. a cause of death or destruction.
  4. war, combat, slaughter, or violence, esp. military force or aggression: to perish by the sword.
  5. (cap.)the code name for one of the five D-Day invasion beaches on France's Normandy coast, assaulted by British forces.
  6. mutually antagonistic or hostile; opposed: Father and son are constantly at swords' point.
  7. The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.
    1. to engage in combat; fight.
    2. to disagree violently; argue:The board members crossed swords in the selection of a president.
  8. to slay; execute: The entire population of the town was put to the sword.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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