claymore

[ kley-mawr, -mohr ]

noun

1. a two-handed sword with a double-edged blade, used by Scottish Highlanders in the 16th century.
2. a Scottish broadsword with a basket hilt.

claymore

/ ˈkleɪˌmɔː; ˌkleˈmor /

noun

1. a large two-edged broadsword used formerly by Scottish Highlanders
2. a US type of antipersonnel mine

Word History and Origins

Origin of claymore¹

First recorded in 1765–75, claymore is from Scots Gaelic claidheamh mòr “great sword”

Word History and Origins

Origin of claymore¹

C18: from Gaelic claidheamh mōr great sword

Example Sentences

In this instance, it was a claymore mine — an explosive that sprays shrapnel toward its targets — that had a trip wire.

From New York Times

White said companies made specialized claymores to end barricades and scrambled to equip body-worn cameras with facial recognition software, but departments didn’t want them.

From Seattle Times

Then an American officer pointed out some of the defenses along the military demarcation line, including barbed-wire fences and claymore mines.

From Washington Times

U.S. troops litter the countryside with claymore mines.

From Salon

Mr. Hansen’s airplane was carrying a load of claymore mines and hand grenades.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• saber