Caltrop
/ˈkæl.trɒp/noun
A device with four spiked arms arranged so that one point always faces upward, or a prickly plant resembling it.
Did you know?Medieval caltrops were scattered to obstruct cavalry and war elephants, while the plant later received the same name because its four-pronged fruits resembled the weapon.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₁-
“To strike or drive; a proposed root associated with kicking and striking”
Classical Latin
Latin
calx
“Heel; the back part of the foot”
Late Latin
Latin
calcātrīpa
“A heel-trap or device that catches the foot; also used for a spiny plant”
Medieval Latin
Latin
calcitrapa
“A four-spiked military obstacle and the similarly shaped plant”
12th–13th Century
Old French
calcatrippe
“A spiked obstacle placed on the ground to injure feet or hooves”
14th Century
English
caltrop
“A four-pointed iron weapon scattered to impede troops or horses”
Modern English
English
caltrop
“A spiked anti-personnel or anti-cavalry device, and a prickly plant with a comparable form”
Explore more surprising origins