Hanging-guard, one of the broad-sword guards. See [Broad-sword].
Thrusts are of various denominations, according to the direction of the point, and position of the wrist.
The thrusts directed at the inside of the body, are called prime, carte, and low-carte; those at the outside, are seconde, tierce, carte over the arm, quinte and flanconade.
In teaching, the thrusts are not arranged according to the above order; it is usual to begin with carte (or quarte) and tierce, the names of which prove them to have been originally the 4th and 3d positions in the art; but which are now justly considered as the chief and most elegant.
Parrying in Fencing, the action of warding off the blows aimed at each other.
Flanconade, in Fencing, is the action of dropping the point of your sword under your adversary’s hilt, in seizing with force the feeble of his blade; which binding, without quitting it, form the parade in octave and then throw in your thrust. See Art of defence with swords by the author of Am. Military Library.
Glissade, in Fencing, is performed by dexterously making your sword slip along your adversary’s blade, and forming at the same time your extension, &c.
FER, Fr. Iron. Figuratively, this word is used for a sword or dagger; as manier le fer, to wear the sword, to follow the profession of arms, Battre le fer, to fence.
Fer à cheval, Fr. In fortification, a [horse-shoe], which see. It further means according to the French acceptation of the term, a work constructed for the purpose of covering a gate, by having within it a guard-house, to prevent the town from being surprised.
FERDWIT, in ancient military history, a term formerly used to denote a freedom from serving upon any military expedition; or according to some, the being quit of manslaughter committed in the army.