English Explanatory Dictionary

rapier

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A slender, straight, sharply pointed sword (double-edged, single-edged or edgeless), designed predominantly for thrusting; used during the Renaissance period of Europe for civilian duelling
adj
  1. Extremely sharp.
  2. Cutting; employing keen wit.
adj
  1. comparative form of rapey: more rapey
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹeɪpˌɪə(ɹ)/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-rapier.wav

Word forms

rapier rapiers

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French rapiere, from Middle French (espee) rapiere, from Old French rapiere, raspiere, from Spanish raspadera (“poker; raker; scraper”), from Spanish raspar (“to scrape”), of Germanic origin. More at rasp.

Derived words

rapiered rapier-fish rapierlike
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