Scimitar

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪmɪtɑː(ɹ)/

Alternative forms

• cimeter
• scimiter
• scimetar

Origin

First attested in 1548.

From Old French cimeterre (15c.) or directly from Italian scimitarra, possibly from an unknown Ottoman Turkish word, from Persian شمشیر (šamšir, "sword"), from Middle Persian šmšyl
špšyl (šafšēr, "sword").

Full definition of scimitar

Noun

1. A sword of Persian origin that features a curved blade.
2. A long-handled billhook.

Derived terms

• scimitar horned oryx