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Webster 1913 Edition


Halberd

Hal′berd

(hŏl′bẽrd; 277)
,
Noun.
[F.
hallebarde
; of German origin; cf. MHG.
helmbarte
, G.
hellebarte
; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G.
barte
a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E.
beard
; cf. Icel.
barða
, a kind of ax,
skegg
beard,
skeggja
a kind of halberd) +
helm
helmet; but cf. also MHG.
helm
,
halm
, handle, and E.
helve
. See
Beard
,
Helmet
.]
(Mil.)
An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form.
[Written also
halbert
.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Halberd

HAL'BERD

,
Noun.
A military weapon, consisting of a pole or shaft of wood, with a head armed with a steel point, with a cross piece of steel, flat and pointed at both ends, or with a cutting edge at one end, and a bent point at the other. It is carried by sergeants of foot and dragoons.

Definition 2024


halberd

halberd

English

Alternative forms

Noun

halberd (plural halberds)

  1. A hand weapon consisting of a long pole fitted with a metal head; the head consists of a blade similar to an axe and usually a spike or hook.

Translations

Derived terms

See also