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halbert |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Halberd \Hal"berd\ (h[o^]l"b[~e]rd; 277), n. [F. hallebarde of German origin; cf MHG. helmbarte G. hellebarte prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf Icel. bar[eth]a, a kind of ax skegg beard, skeggja a kind of halberd) + helm helmet; but cf also MHG. helm, halm, handle, and E. helve. See {Beard}, {Helmet}.] (Mil.) An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form [Written also {halbert}.]
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