yataghan

or yat·a·gan

[ yat-uh-gan, -guhn; Turkish yah-tah-gahn ]

noun

1. a Turkish saber having a doubly curved blade, concave toward the hilt, and a hilt with a prominent pommel and no guard.

yataghan

/ ˈjætəɡən /

noun

1. a Turkish sword with a curved single-edged blade

Word History and Origins

Origin of yataghan¹

First recorded in 1810–20, yataghan is from the Turkish word yatağan

Word History and Origins

Origin of yataghan¹

C19: from Turkish yataǧan

Example Sentences

Their uniform is magnificent, consisting of a blue frockcoat and pantaloons covered with silver lace, a Grecian helmet, and a great variety of splendid arms, the yataghan alone costing a thousand rubles.

From Project Gutenberg

I could see through the darkness the shining butts of his pistols and hilt of his yataghan, and took his dimensions with more anxiety, perhaps, than exactitude.

From Project Gutenberg

One day his eldest brother—he had five, of whom two were working in the mines of Siberia—had ordered him to take his yataghan, to get on horseback, and follow him.

From Project Gutenberg

The greater part were armed with daggers and Turkish yataghans, sling-shots, Tartar sabres, and with horse-skulls fastened to oak clubs with cords.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time Mahomet announced to his followers that the comet, "having the form of a yataghan," was a blessing of the Prophet's.

From Project Gutenberg