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Sword

Military
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A sword is a long-bladed weapon used for cutting or thrusting, historically symbolic of honor, power, and martial prowess.

Detailed Definition
The sword ranks among literature's most enduring symbols, representing honor, justice, and heroic identity across countless traditions from Arthurian legend to biblical imagery. Poets frequently use the sword metaphorically, as in the phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword," to contrast physical force with intellectual or spiritual power. Its ceremonial use in knighthood and command further imbues the sword with layers of meaning beyond simple weaponry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Arthurian legend and biblical imagery both draw heavily on the sword as a symbol of honor and justice; A poem might contrast the sword's physical force with the phrase describing the pen as mightier; Poets use "sword" to evoke heroic identity across countless literary and cultural traditions; A verse could depict a sword passed ceremonially from one generation of warriors to the next; The term appears throughout epic poetry as an emblem of martial prowess and moral authority; Historical poetry sometimes uses swords in coronation or knighthood scenes to symbolize legitimate power.
Additional Notes
A sword is a long-bladed weapon used for cutting or thrusting, historically symbolic of honor, power, and martial prowess. The sword has been the weapon of the warrior, the symbol of authority, and the focus of centuries of martial arts. It is a weapon of status and precision. In poetry, the sword represents the ideal of the warrior, the code of chivalry, and the finality of combat. Related terms include blade, sabre, and broadsword. The sword's use in ceremonies, like knighting, underscores its symbolic weight. The phrase "sword of Damocles" captures its threat and uncertainty.
Other Meanings of “Sword”
Also Known As
Blade Cutlass Saber Broadsword Rapier Claymore
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