halberd

n. [ F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG. helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf. Icel. barða, a kind of ax, skegg beard, skeggja a kind of halberd) + helm helmet; but cf. also MHG. helm, halm, handle, and E. helve. See Beard, Helmet. ] (Mil.) An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form. [ Written also halbert. ] [ 1913 Webster ]