falchion
verbEtymology From Middle English fauchoun, from Old French fauchon (cognate with Italian falcione), from Vulgar Latin *falciōnem, from Latin falx.
- Derived terms
- falchioned
falchion
nounUK /ˈfɔːl.(t)ʃən/ · US /ˈfɔl.(t)ʃən/
Etymology From Middle English fauchoun, from Old French fauchon (cognate with Italian falcione), from Vulgar Latin *falciōnem, from Latin falx.
1
Also A somewhat curved, single-edged medieval sword of European origin, with the cutting edge on its convex side, whose design is reminiscent of the Persian scimitar and the Chinese dao.
- I haue seene the day, with my good biting Faulchionc. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 309:
- Thy Chamber vvith Ambroſiall odors breatheth, / Nevv loues and true loues vnto them that entreateth, / And furious Mars made milde his Faulcheon ſheatheth / At thy delicious aſpect: […]1607 February 12 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [Barnabe Barnes], The Divils Charter: A Tragædie Conteining the Life and Death of Pope Alexander the Sixt. […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Iohn Wright, […], published 1607, →OCLC, Act III, scene ii, signature E2, verso:
2 more examples
- Even when the battle-roar was deep, / With dauntless heart he hewed his way, / Mid splintering lance and falchion-sweep, / And still was heard his warrior-lay; […]1816, [Walter Scott], “Letter IX. Paul to His Sister Margaret. The Troubadour.”, in Paul’s Letters to His Kinsfolk, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, and John Murray, →OCLC, page 211:
- The Jester wore his usual fantastic habit, but late accidents had led him to adopt a good cutting falchion, instead of his wooden sword, with a targe to match it; […]1819 December 20 (indicated as 1820), Walter Scott, chapter X, in Ivanhoe; a Romance. […], volume III, Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC, page 242:
2
Obsolete A billhook.
- Derived terms
- case of falchions, double falchion, falchioned, single falchion