What does scimitar mean?
A scimitar is a curved sword with one cutting edge, traditionally associated with Turkish and other Middle Eastern warriors. Its characteristic shape is generally longer and more strongly curved than that of a straight sword, although historical examples vary considerably in size and construction. In modern English, the word is often used in historical narratives, adventure fiction, museum descriptions, and discussions of Ottoman or Islamic military equipment. It may also designate a modern sword deliberately modeled on that traditional form. The term can connote both skilled martial use and decorative craftsmanship, particularly when referring to jeweled, engraved, or ceremonial weapons. For readers seeking the general category of curved sword, sabre is broader, while scimitar carries more specific historical associations with Middle Eastern and Ottoman traditions.
nounA curved sword with a single cutting edge, especially one of the type associated historically with Turkish and other Middle Eastern warriors.
- A curved sword with a single cutting edge, especially one historically used by Turkish, Persian, Arab, and other Middle Eastern warriors.
- A sword having the characteristic shape or general form of a traditional Middle Eastern curved sword.
"The museum displayed a finely ornamented scimitar beside a ceremonial shield."
"The warrior raised his scimitar as the procession entered the courtyard."
"A 19th-century illustration shows the rider carrying a slender scimitar at his hip."
The regular plural adds -s.
"Two scimitars were displayed beside the armor."
With its sweeping curve and single edge, the scimitar became the iconic sword of Turkish warriors and a familiar emblem of Ottoman military history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scimitar come from?
The English word entered use in accounts of Turkish and Middle Eastern military equipment during the early modern period. It ultimately derives from forms encountered in Turkish, with its deeper source commonly connected to Arabic and Persian vocabulary for a sword or saber. Comparable forms also occur in several European languages, reflecting the word's long history in descriptions of weapons encountered through trade, travel, and military contact.
Related word forms
How scimitar is actually used
In modern English, the word most often has a historical or literary flavor and refers to a distinctly curved, single-edged sword. The closely related spelling scimiter is now uncommon.
Easily confused with scimitar
A sabre is a broad category of sword, whereas a scimitar specifically denotes a curved sword of the kind historically associated with Turkish and Middle Eastern use.
Scimiter is an occasional spelling of the same word, but scimitar is the standard modern spelling.