Sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon intended for slashing or thrusting that is longer than a knife or dagger. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographic region under consideration. The blade can be straight or curved. Thrusting swords have a pointed tip on the blade, and tend to be straighter; slashing swords have a sharpened cutting edge on one or both sides of the blade, and are more likely to be curved. Many swords are designed for both thrusting and slashing.
History[edit | edit source]
Historically, the sword developed in the Bronze Age, evolving from the dagger; the earliest specimens date to about 1600 BC. The later Iron Age sword remained fairly short and without a crossguard. The word sword continues the Old English, sweord.
Design[edit | edit source]
The design of swords has varied widely throughout history. They have been made from many different materials, including iron, steel, bronze, and copper. The parts of a sword are the blade, which is the sharp cutting part, the hilt, which is the handle, and the pommel, which is a counterweight at the end of the sword.
Types of Swords[edit | edit source]
There are many different types of swords. Some of the most well-known include the longsword, the shortsword, the broadsword, the rapier, and the katana. Each of these has its own unique design and purpose.
Use in Combat[edit | edit source]
Swords have been used in combat for thousands of years. They were often used in conjunction with a shield or other defensive implement. Sword fighting is also a sport, and there are many different styles of fencing.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Swords have a significant cultural impact in many societies. They are often used in ceremonies, such as the knighting ceremony in some Western cultures. In Japan, the katana is a symbol of the samurai class.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- List of premodern combat weapons
- Classification of swords
- Swordsmanship
- Historical European martial arts
- Japanese sword
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Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD