poniard
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of poniard
1580–90; < French poignard, derivative of poing fist < Latin pugnus; -ard
Explanation
A poniard is a small knife with a narrow, sharp blade. If you'd been a knight during the Middle Ages, you probably would have carried a poniard. A poniard, or poignard, is a type of dagger that you're only likely to see in a museum or used by a historical re-enactor. French and Italian Renaissance nobles were known to carry poniards, and to occasionally use them in hand-to-hand combat. The word is French, from the Old French poignal, used to mean "dagger," but literally "anything grasped in the fist," from poing, "fist."
Vocabulary lists containing poniard
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Much Ado About Nothing
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Eragon
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Throughout, the filtering of bygone times through impish anachronism — complete with droll references that might do an AP History exam proud — gives “Six” the sheen of a polished poniard.
From Washington Post • Jul. 15, 2022
In addition, she has a quick little poniard of deft humor, a keen sense of values.
From Time Magazine Archive
Looking straight at Churchill, he lashed out: "I welcome this opportunity of pricking the bloated bladder of lies with the poniard of truth."
From Time Magazine Archive
But what happens when a catastrophe overwhelms the cartoonist's ability to poniard a convenient victim on pen point?
From Time Magazine Archive
I said, mastering myself to speak within compass, and taking the man by the sleeve with my right hand, while I kept my left upon my poniard.
From Idonia: A Romance of Old London by Wallis, Arthur F.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
