scimitar

Crescent-shaped weapon

A scimitar is a curved sword with a single sharp edge on the convex side, associated with Middle Eastern and South Asian warriors.

The blade's curve makes it effective for slashing from horseback.

In Western usage, scimitar often serves as a generic term for any curved Eastern sword: The pirate's scimitar gleamed in the torchlight.

craftsmanship

forged

Made by smithing, or faked

  • temperedStrengthened through heat treatment
  • hiltWeapon's graspable portion
  • pommelSaddle's front knob

crossguard · scabbard · sheath · blade · steel · smithing · etched · engraved · inlaid · ornate

blade

sword

Hilted fighting blade

  • sabreCurved single-edged sword
  • cutlassCurved slashing naval blade
  • falchionCurved medieval cutting sword

dao · backsword · broadsword · rapier · katana · longsword · machete · gladius

oriental

Persian

Of or from Iran

Saracen · sultan · caliph · vizier · desert · Silk Road · bazaar · caravan · Scheherazade · Arabian Nights

pirate

buccaneer

Caribbean colonial-era pirate

privateer · Blackbeard · Barbary · plunder · boarding · galleon · brigantine · Jolly Roger · raider · sea dog

combat

slash

Angled line or swipe

  • strikeForceful impact or stoppage
  • parryDefensive blade deflection
  • thrustForceful forward motion

cleave · duel · swordplay · fencing · riposte · lunge · swing · melee · skirmish · cavalry

curved

crescent

Curved sickle-like arc

bow · bend · sickle · hook · recurve · falchion · swooping · sweeping · arcing · slashing

Categories
Opposites
blade geometry

scimitarlongsword

Two-handed medieval blade

rapier · broadsword · double-edged sword · gladius · claymore

combat style

scimitarrapier

Slender dueling blade

smallsword · épée · tuck · gladius · spear

Family

scimitars, scimiter

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG