rapier

[ rey-pee-er ]

noun

1. a small sword, especially of the 18th century, having a narrow blade and used for thrusting.
2. a longer, heavier sword, especially of the 16th and 17th centuries, having a double-edged blade and used for slashing and thrusting.

rapier

/ ˈreɪpɪə /

noun

1. a long narrow two-edged sword with a guarded hilt, used as a thrusting weapon, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries
2. a smaller single-edged 18th-century sword, used principally in France

Derived Forms

• ˈrapier-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• rapi·ered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapier¹

1545–55; < Middle French ( espee ) rapiere literally, rasping (sword); rape ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapier¹

C16: from Old French espee rapiere , literally: rasping sword; see rasp ¹

Example Sentences

“A broken rapier can push the clutch perfectly,” he explains, demonstrating his technique with an imaginary sword.

From BBC

But Menken and Maas would have been hard-pressed to surpass the rapier wit of George and Martha.

From Los Angeles Times

This record-breaking was anticipated by Forbes' senior contributor Robert Rapier, who wrote earlier this month that the United States had set a new annual oil production record on December 15.

From Salon

“Climate science has been clear on fossil fuel dangers for decades,” chemical engineer Robert Rapier said Monday in a Forbes op-ed.

From Washington Times

No one bothered to do the math, however, because Bentsen destroyed Quayle’s point with a rapier thrust.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blade
• dagger
• weapon