Defn: Same as Swap. Dryden.
SWORD
Sword, n. Etym: [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird,
D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sver, Sw. svärd,
Dan. sværd; of uncertain origin.]
1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp
2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of
authority and power.
He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain. Rom. xiii. 4.
She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. Dryden.
3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt. x. 34.
4. The military power of a country. He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. Milton.
5. (Weaving)
Defn: One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is
suspended. Sword arm, the right arm.
— Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and which
can be used as a sword.
— Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an officer in
London who carries a sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad.
— Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne at
the side.
— Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword.
— Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger,
as in a sheath.
— Sword dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and
clashed together by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance
performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them.
— Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with swords;
swordplay.
— Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen.
— Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.
— Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence.
Milton.
— Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus.
— Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; — so called
from a wooden implement used in its manufacture.
— Sword shrimp (Zoöl.), a European shrimp (Pasiphæa sivado) having
a very thin, compressed body.
— Sword stick, a sword cane.
— To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t.
— To put to the sword. See under Put.
SWORDBILL
Sword"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus) having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of the bird.