cutlass
UK[ˈkʌtləs]US[ˈkʌtləs]
n
a short sword with a slightly curved blade, formerly used by sailors.
n
a short, heavy, slightly curved machete.
Etymology
the word 'cutlass' entered english in the late 16th century from the french 'coutelas', which itself derived from the old italian 'coltellaccio', meaning 'large knife'. 'Coltellaccio' is an augmentative form of 'coltello' (knife), which traces back to the latin 'cultellus', a diminutive of 'culter' (knife, ploughshare). the semantic journey is direct, moving from a general term for a cutting tool or blade in latin to a specific type of short, broad sword associated with sailors and later with agricultural use in tropical regions. the modern english spelling reflects a folk-etymological association with the verb 'cut'.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the pirate drew his rusty cutlass and prepared to board the merchant ship.
he used a cutlass to clear a path through the dense jungle undergrowth.
the museum's collection featured an ornate naval cutlass from the 18th century.