Bayonet

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbeɪ.É’n.É›t/, /beɪ.əʊ.nÉ›t/
• Rhymes: -É›t

Origin

From French baïonnette, named after the French town of Bayonne.

Full definition of bayonet

Noun

1. (military) A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier increased means of offence and defence. Originally, the bayonet was made with a handle, which required to be fitted into the bore of the musket after the soldier had fired.
• 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page xvi:Fig. 3. Its bayonet, to be fixed by sticking the handle into the muzzle of the musquet.
2. (engineering) A pin which plays in and out of holes made to receive it, and which thus serves to engage or disengage parts of the machinery.

Derived terms

• bayonet clutch
• bayonet joint
• knife bayonet
• spike bayonet
• sword bayonet

Verb

1. (transitive) To stab with a bayonet.
2. (transitive) To compel or drive by the bayonet.To bayonet us into submission. Burke.

Usage notes

The spelling bayoneting and bayoneted are preferred in the US while bayonetting and bayonetted are preferred in the UK.

Anagrams

• Oytaben