Claymore
/ˈkleɪ.mɔːr/noun
A large two-handed sword associated with Scotland, or a type of anti-personnel mine.
Did you know?The word comes from Gaelic and literally means “great sword,” while the modern mine got its name because its protruding prongs resembled crossed sword blades.
Etymological Timeline
Old Irish / Scottish Gaelic
Goidelic
claideb
“sword”
Middle Irish
Goidelic
claideb mór
“great sword”
Scottish Gaelic
Goidelic
claidheamh mòr
“great sword”
17th–18th Century
English
claymore
“a large Scottish two-handed sword”
20th Century
English
Claymore mine
“an anti-personnel mine named for its sword-like shape”