Poignards

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of slender, sharply pointed dagger used historically for thrusting; a small, easily concealed blade often associated with close combat or assassination; a weapon characterized by its narrow, tapering blade designed for stabbing
2. A narrow, pointed knife used for piercing or stabbing in close quarters; a compact dagger favored for its concealability and precision; a blade typically slender and sharp, crafted for quick thrusting attacks
3. A thin, tapering stabbing weapon employed chiefly in historical melee fights; a compact stabbing blade known for its sharp point and ease of concealment; a dagger type designed primarily for penetrating with speed and agility

Etymology: "Poignards" is the plural of "poignard," a slender stabbing dagger. The singular came into English from French, where "poignard" denotes the same kind of short, narrow blade, and it carries the sense of a weapon meant for close, quick thrusts rather than slashing. The word is a borrowing rather than a native English formation, so its shape and sense were carried across the Channel largely intact. Because English takes the plural "-s" on the French form, "poignards" is simply the usual way to refer to more than one such weapon. Anyone reading a historical novel or a museum label will meet the word most often in this plural form when describing a collection or a pair of blades.

Synonyms: daggers, knives, dirks, stilettos, blades