poniard
pronunciation
How to pronounce poniard in British English:
UK ['pɒnjəd]
How to pronounce poniard in American English:
US ['pɒnjəd]
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- Noun:
- a dagger with a slender blade
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- Verb:
- stab with a poniard
Word Origin
- poniard (n.)
- 1580s, from Middle French poinard (early 16c.), from Old French poignal "dagger," literally "anything grasped with the fist," from poing "fist," from Latin pungus "fist," from PIE root *peuk- (see pugnacious). Probably altered in French by association with poindre "to stab." Compare Latin pugnus "fist," pugio "dagger." As a verb from c. 1600.
Example
- 1. After she had danced several dances with much grace , she drew the poniard , and holding it in her hand , began a dance , in which she outdid herself by the many different figures , light movements , and the surprising leaps and wonderful exertions with which she accompanied it .