Cutlass

Definition

A short, curved sword with a single sharp edge, historically used by sailors, pirates, and soldiers for close combat. Known for its practical design and effectiveness in confined spaces like ship decks.

Example Usage

The pirate captain drew his cutlass and engaged in a fierce duel with his rival.

Origin

From French 'coutelas,' derived from Latin 'cultellus' meaning small knife, from 'culter' meaning to cut.

Fun Fact

Cutlasses were the preferred weapon of choice for naval combat during the Age of Sail because they were effective and didn't require the space of a longer sword.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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