n. [ OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sverð, Sw. svärd, Dan. svaerd; of uncertain origin. ] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ the ruler ] beareth not the sword in vain. Rom. xiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension. [ 1913 Webster ]

I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt. x. 34. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The military power of a country. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 (Zool.), a European shrimp (Pasiphaea 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus) having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of the bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. AS. geswurdod. ] Girded with a sword. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who uses, or fights with, a sword; a swordsman; a soldier; a cutthroat. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Zool.) (a) A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidae. It is highly valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper jaw are consolidated, and form a long, rigid, swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The adult is destitute of teeth. It becomes sixteen feet or more long. (b) The gar pike. (c) The cutlass fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. See Dorado, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Swordfish sucker (Zool.), a remora (Remora brachyptera) which attaches itself to the swordfish. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The spotted gunnel (Muraenoides gunnellus). [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Slashing with a sword. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of a sword. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Swordmen A swordsman. “Sinewy swordmen.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Fencing; a sword fight. [ 1913 Webster ]