Francisca
/frænˈsɪskə/noun
A type of throwing axe used by the Franks in the early medieval period.
Did you know?The *francisca* was so closely associated with the Franks that its name is effectively ethnonymic, but its exact deeper origin is uncertain and not securely tied to any mystical meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Period
Latin
francisca
“A Frankish throwing axe, especially associated with the Franks”
Late Latin
Latin
Franci
“The Franks, a Germanic people”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*frankōz / *frankaz
“The ethnonym behind the name of the Franks; exact original sense uncertain”
Old French
Old French
franceis / franc
“Frankish; later, a Frank, and by extension someone free or noble”
Modern English
English
Francisca
“A historical Frankish throwing axe”