halberd

Everyday

1. An old weapon used from about the 1300s to the 1600s: a long wooden pole with an axe blade, a sharp spike on top and often a hook at the back. tree →
2. Today a ceremonial weapon carried by some guards, for example the Swiss Guard at the Vatican. tree →

In the lessons

A history word for medieval and Tudor soldiers. In The Wind in the Willows, when Toad is sent to prison, he is led past guards and gaolers with halberds and pikes through a grim old castle to the dungeon – the old weapons make the scene feel ancient and frightening. A soldier with a halberd is a halberdier.

Examples

• The guard at the castle gate held a long halberd. tree →
• The Swiss Guard still carry halberds at the Vatican. tree →
• Soldiers with halberds marched Toad down to the dungeon. tree →
• A halberd could chop, stab and hook a rider off his horse. tree →
• We saw a rusty halberd in the museum. tree →
• The knight ducked under the halberd's blade. tree →
• He could even see soldiers walking about with halberds. tree →

Note

Countable. Said «HAL-berd». A weapon from the past; similar older weapons are the pike and the spear.