Sword \Sword\ (s[=o]rd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to
   OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G.
   schwert, Icel. sver[eth], Sw. sv[aum]rd, Dan. svaerd; of
   uncertain origin.]
   1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually
      sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is
      the general term, including the small sword, rapier,
      saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or
      of authority and power.
      [1913 Webster]

            He [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain. --Rom.
                                                  xiii. 4.
      [1913 Webster]

            She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.
      [1913 Webster]

            I came not to send peace, but a sword. --Matt. x.
                                                  34.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. The military power of a country.
      [1913 Webster]

            He hath no more authority over the sword than over
            the law.                              --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand
      loom is suspended.
      [1913 Webster]

   Sword arm, the right arm.

   Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and
      which can be used as a sword.

   Sword bearer, one who carries his master's sword; an
      officer in London who carries a sword before the lord
      mayor when he goes abroad.

   Sword belt, a belt by which a sword is suspended, and borne
      at the side.

   Sword blade, the blade, or cutting part, of a sword.

   Sword cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or
      dagger, as in a sheath.

   Sword dance.
      (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed
          together by the male dancers. --Sir W. Scott.
      (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but
          without touching them.

   Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial of skill with
      swords; swordplay.

   Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen.

   Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.

   Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence.
      --Milton.

   Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus.

   Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so
      called from a wooden implement used in its manufacture.

   Sword shrimp (Zool.), a European shrimp (Pasiphaea
      sivado) having a very thin, compressed body.

   Sword stick, a sword cane.

   To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t.

   To put to the sword. See under Put.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	sword
    n 1: a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade
         and a hilt with a hand guard [syn: sword, blade,
         brand, steel]

	

	84 Moby Thesaurus words for "sword":
   Excalibur, ax, battler, belligerent, belted knight, bickerer,
   bilbo, blade, bravo, brawler, broadsword, bully, bullyboy,
   claymore, cold steel, combatant, competitor, contender, contestant,
   cutlass, cutlery, cutter, dagger, disputant, duelist, edge tools,
   enforcer, epee, falchion, fencer, feuder, fighter, fighting cock,
   foil, foilsman, gamecock, gladiator, glaive, goon, gorilla,
   hatchet man, hood, hoodlum, hooligan, jouster, knife, knight,
   militant, naked steel, pigsticker, plug-ugly, point, puncturer,
   quarreler, rapier, rioter, rival, rough, rowdy, ruffian, saber,
   sabreur, scimitar, scrapper, scuffler, sharpener, squabbler, steel,
   strong arm, strong-arm man, strong-armer, struggler, swashbuckler,
   swordplayer, swordsman, thug, tilter, toad sticker, tough,
   trusty sword, tuck, tussler, whittle, wrangler

	

	Sword
   of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a
   sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1
   Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).
   
     It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12;
   78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov.
   12:18). The word of God is likened also to a sword (Heb. 4:12;
   Eph. 6:17; Rev. 1:16). Gideon's watchword was, "The sword of the
   Lord" (Judg. 7:20).