back·sword

(băk′sôrd′)

1. A sword with only one cutting edge.

2. A one-handed fencing stick; a singlestick.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

backsword

(ˈbækˌsɔːd)

1. (Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) another name for broadsword

2. (Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) Also called: backswordsman a person who uses the backsword

3. (Fencing) a fencing stick with a basket-like protective hilt

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

back•sword

(ˈbækˌsɔrd, -ˌsoʊrd)

n.

a sword with one edge sharpened.

[1590–1600]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	backsword - a stick used instead of a sword for fencing fencing stick, singlestick stick - an implement consisting of a length of wood; "he collected dry sticks for a campfire"; "the kid had a candied apple on a stick"
	2.	backsword - a sword with only one cutting edge sword, steel, blade, brand - a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Willum's sweetheart is in the "veast" somewhere, and has strictly enjoined him not to get his head broke at back-swording, on pain of her highest displeasure; but as she is not to be seen (the women pretend not to like to see the backsword play, and keep away from the stage), and as his hat is decidedly getting old, he chucks it on to the stage, and follows himself, hoping that he will only have to break other people's heads, or that, after all, Rachel won't really mind.

View in context

When in good humor, he would amuse his guests with beguiling tales or take pleasure in someone else's yarn or jest, while out there in the courtyard the youth would play backsword or break in my lord's Turkish ponies."

Pan Tadeusz [1834]: Book Two: The Castle

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