Kris
/kriːs/noun
A dagger with a wavy or straight blade, traditional in parts of Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia and Malaysia.
Did you know?In Javanese and Malay cultures, the kris was often ritually forged and regarded as having a spirit or sacred force, which is why many were given names and inherited like living family relics.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Malay
keris
“A dagger or knife, especially one with a distinctive blade, often associated with ritual and status.”
16th Century
Javanese
kris/keris
“A dagger used as a weapon and ceremonial object.”
17th Century
Dutch
kris
“A Southeast Asian dagger, borrowed from Malay/Indonesian usage.”
18th Century
English
kris
“A curved or wavy-bladed dagger from the Malay Archipelago.”