Yatagans

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Ottoman Turkish short sword with a curved blade, known for its distinctive hilt design and historical significance in the military context
2. A traditional weapon characterized by a double-curved blade, commonly associated with the Eastern Mediterranean and used in various cultures
3. A form of saber distinguished by its unique shape and craftsmanship, often sought after by collectors of historical arms and artifacts

Etymology: The plural "yatagans" simply takes the regular English "-s" ending, so the word it belongs to is the singular "yatagan," a curved single-edged sword with a distinctive hilt, associated with the Ottoman world. Its name comes from Turkish "yatağan," the term for this weapon, and it reached English through European travel accounts and trade with the Ottoman Empire. Because the form is a plural, it is used when speaking of more than one of these swords, such as a collection displayed in a museum or a pair mounted on a wall. Collectors value them for the forging of their blades and the carved and inlaid hilts, which vary by region and period.

Synonyms: swords, knives