Falchion
/ˈfɔːl.tʃən/noun
A broad, slightly curved sword with a single cutting edge.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin and Old French forms tied to a blade-shaped term, and medieval writers used it for a brutal, cleaver-like sword rather than a refined knightly weapon.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“to strike, cut, or shine; the ancient root behind a family of words connected to cutting and splitting”
Latin
LA
falx
“a sickle, scythe, or curved cutting tool”
Late Latin
LL
falcionem
“a large knife or curved blade”
Old French
OF
fauchon
“a broad cutting sword or large knife”
Middle English
EN
falchion
“a single-edged sword, often curved and heavy for chopping”
Modern English
EN
falchion
“a broad, slightly curved sword with one cutting edge”