Definition

A type of sword that has a curved blade, with the sharp edge on the outside of the curve, commonly used in some Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.

Example

The warrior drew his scimitar, ready for battle.

Conversation

I saw a fascinating weapon display at the museum yesterday.

Oh really? What kind of weapons did they have?

They had a beautiful scimitar that was curved and really shiny.

That sounds awesome! I'd love to see one up close.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Scimitar originates from the French word 'cimeterre', which itself comes from the Arabic 'sahim' (meaning a type of sword) and the Persian 'shamshir' (meaning a curved sword). The word describes a specific type of curved sword used in the Middle East and South Asia.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'curved sword' from the Middle East, as 'scimitar' refers to this distinctive weapon.

Visually Confused Words