halberdier

Variant of halberd

noun

a combination spear and battle-ax used in the 15th and 16th cent.
also halbert

Origin: LME haubert < OFr hallebarde & MDu hellebaerde, both < MHG helmbarte < helm, handle, staff (see helm) + barte, an ax, var. of bart, beard

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
link/cite print suggestion box