Definition of sword

The origin of the word "sword" can be traced back to the Old English word sweord, which was pronounced similiar to "sword." This Old English word comes from the Proto-Germanic word swerdaz, which meant "cutting weapon" or "tool for cutting." The Old English word swept through the Germanic languages, appearing as swert in Old Norse, swerd in Old Frisian, and swert in Old Saxon. The Old High German word schwert, which also meant "sword," may have contributed to the Old English word, as there was likely some linguistic interaction between these Germanic languages during the Middle Ages. The etymology of the Proto-Germanic word swerdaz is not entirely clear, but some linguists believe that it may have come from the Proto-Indo-European root *swe-, which meant "to cut." This etymology would suggest that the Proto-Germanic word swerdaz referred to a weapon specifically for cutting, rather than just any cutting tool. Overall, the evolution of the word "sword" from its Proto-Germanic roots to its modern English form is a testament to the enduring power and importance of this ancient weapon in human history and culture.