Rapier definition

rāpē-ər, rāpyər
rapiers
See word origin
Frequency:
Rapier is a thin, two-edged sword or speech that is clever.

An example of rapier is a sword.

An example of rapier is a comedian's comebacks.

noun
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A long, slender, two-edged sword with a cuplike hilt, used in the 1500s and 1600s.
noun
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A slender, two-edged sword used chiefly for thrusting.
noun
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A slender, straight, sharply pointed sword (double-edged, single-edged or edgeless).
noun
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Extremely sharp.
adjective
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Cutting smarts or keen wit.

John is very quick on his feet during interviews by using his rapier responses.

adjective
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A light, sharp-pointed sword lacking a cutting edge and used only for thrusting.
noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
rapier
Plural:
rapiers

Origin of rapier

  • French rapière from Old French (espee) rapiere rapier (sword)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle French (espee) rapiere.

    From Wiktionary

Rapier Sentence Examples

  • The elegant rapier was used in preference to the older, clumsier cutting swords.

  • And what does this sharp rapier of light represent, as a picture?

  • The rapier (63) or lengthened dagger is rarely found, and is prisbably of prehistoric Greek origin.

  • Lecturer makes rapier points about constitutional discrepancies, Solid wants to bludgeon us with street morality; some points I even agree with.

  • He carries a rapier, the sword of a gentleman and again, even has a spare in the background of the image.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near rapier in the Dictionary