poniard

1 of 2

noun

pon·​iard ˈpän-yərd How to pronounce poniard (audio)
: a dagger with a usually slender blade of triangular or square cross section

poniard

2 of 2

verb

poniarded; poniarding; poniards

transitive verb

: to pierce or kill with a poniard

Examples of poniard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This includes openly carrying the famous Jim Bowie knife, as well as daggers, dirks, throwing knives, stilettos, poniards, swords, machetes and spears. John Tufts, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French poignard, from poing fist, from Old French puing, from Latin pugnus fist — more at pungent

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poniard was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near poniard

Cite this Entry

“Poniard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poniard. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

poniard

noun
pon·​iard
ˈpän-yərd
: a slender dagger

More from Merriam-Webster on poniard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!