broadsword

noun

1. A type of early modern sword that has a broad double-edged blade for cutting (as opposed to the more slender thrust-oriented rapier) and typically a basket hilt.

   “The principal distinction between the broadsword and the rapier is, that the latter is formed only for thrusting, while the former is adapted for cutting also. Indeed, those who use the broadsword are, in my opinion, too apt to neglect the use of the point, and to give their attention almost exclusively to the cuts.”

   “One version of the broadsword, the Highland broadsword, was adopted as the national sword of Scotland. Another, the schiavona, was Italy's version of the weapon.”

2. A person armed with such a sword.
3. (colloquial, often)Synonym of longsword.

   “The Brythunian's arm drew back; the ancient broadsword with its strange, clawed quillons arcked spinning through the air.”

   “Henry carried a heavy broadsword with a cruciform hilt, and a decorated dagger on his hip known as a misericord because its blade could release souls. The English knights and men-at-arms carried broadswords, maces for smashing skulls and the murderous pole-axe, combining a spear with an axehead about five feet long.”

4. A flat, rectangular bread made from corn (maize) and beans by the Cherokee, traditionally by boiling rather than baking it.

   “Cherokee "broadswords" and "dog-heads," or Iroquois wedding breads (paired like dumbbells) might be eaten and described by visitors, but apparently were not adapted by colonial farmers other than a few intermarried pioneers.”

   “These breads were noted by early English explorers of the East Coast and continue to be made as Cherokee broadswords, Navajo kneel-down bread, and other dishes. Tamale pie is one of a group of American foods invented outside the ethnic[…]”

   “Then took two broadsword corn dumplings from the basket Mother left out on the porch last night. Ate them as I walked our line of rail fence after letting out the cows from the barn. The dumplings were delicious, and I wished I had[…]”

   “Well, after awhile we just sat right down there on the ground by that fire beside the creek, and we ate some of those broadswords, hot and fresh, and I tell you, that was the best bean bread I ever ate.”

verb

1. (rare, transitive)To attack or kill with a broadsword.

   “She’d met her first black knight—a pock-faced man in his sixties, wearing an ugly brown hat—and escaped from him without being broadsworded to death.”

   “He broadsworded one of his dogs in exuberance and it lay there whimpering till it expired.”

   “He took his steel-edged ruler, screamed and then broadsworded the snake into two equal lengths.”