fleche

Slender church steeple

A fleche is a slender spire rising from a roof, typically at the intersection of nave and transept in a church.

In fencing, a fleche is a running attack—a sudden forward lunge at the opponent.

The word comes from French for "arrow," and both meanings suggest something sharp and pointed: The cathedral's fleche was visible for miles; She scored with a perfectly timed fleche.

fencing

thrust

Forceful forward motion

lungeSudden forward movement
attackAggressive act against another
advanceMove or progress forward

parry · riposte · touché · foil · epee · sabre · piste · bout · disengage · counterattack

architecture

spire

Tapering architectural peak

steeplePointed church tower
pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
towerTall slender edifice

cathedral · gothic · finial · turret · buttress · nave · transept · belfry · cupola · church

archery

arrow

Pointed shaft for shooting

boltThreaded rod for nuts
projectileLaunched airborne object
dartHandheld pointed projectile

broadhead · nock · fletcher · quiver · bow · trajectory · shaft · fletch · vane · tip

military

assault

Violent offensive act

chargeCost or accusation
offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
advanceMove or progress forward

raid · incursion · sortie · blitz · foray · maneuver · engagement · flank · pincer · operation

equipment

blade

Flat cutting edge

guardWatchful defensive attention
pommelSaddle's front knob
forteArea of expertise

foible · plastron · lamé · mask · glove · tip · tang · grip

Opposites

fencing action type

flecheparry

Defensive blade deflection

block · defense · riposte · counterattack · retreat

movement direction in fencing

flecheretreat

Sanctuary or withdrawal

withdrawal · back step · romper · disengagement · pulling back

architectural projection

flechefoundation

Underlying support structure

crypt · basement · cellar · undercroft · flat roof

Family

flechette, flechettes

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G