Broadsword
The term broadsword was originally used to describe the straight double-edged basket-hilted swords of of Europe the 17th through 19th centuries. Examples of these are the Scots claymore (a troublesome term in itself) and the Italian schiavona. Late 19th century museum curators began to use the term to refer to the medieval arming sword to distiguish them from the comparatively slimmer-bladed rapier, smallsword and épée and this is the colloquially understood meaning of the term, though it is somewhat imprecise.
The Chinese Dao (sabre) is sometimes translated as broadsword, though saber is a more usual and more useful term for this single edged, curved sword.
See also:
Referenced By
List of martial arts weapons
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