Standard Lemma guide

baselard

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈbæsɪlɑː(ɹ)d/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A type of heavy dagger popular in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1380s: "Sir John and Sir Geoffrey hath a girdle of silver, a baselard or a ballok knyf with buttons overgilt." (Piers Plowman)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Old French baselard, basilard (early 14th century), in English from the later 14th century. Occurs in many spelling variants, including badelaire, baudelaire, Latinized badelare, bazelare, basalardus, balafardus, balasardus, etc. Probably in origin a corruption of German Basler (as pasler also attested from the early 14th century), probably short for Basler messer "knife of (made in, typical of) Basel".