Zweihänder
noun/ˈtsvaɪhɛndɚ/ · /ˈtsvaɪ.hæn.dɚ/
Etymology Borrowed from German Zweihänder (literally “two hander”), from zwei (“two”) + Hand (“hand”) + -er.
1
Historical A two-handed sword primarily of Renaissance Germany, up to a fathom in length, invented in the 14th century.
- Their major weapon was the pike, which could be up to 18 feet in length, but those whose duty it was to advance in the front line carried instead the fearsome Zweihänder; an enormous battle-sword around 66 inches in length.1994, Douglas Miller, The Landsknechts, page 42:
- […] and even the two-handed sword, Zweihänder […]1995, R. Coltman Clephan, The Mediaeval Tournament, page 105: