Rapier
/ˈreɪ.pi.ər/noun
A slender, sharply pointed sword designed mainly for thrusting.
Did you know?Rapier enters English through French and likely ultimately from a Germanic root tied to scraping or rough cutting, showing how even the most aristocratic sword name may have started in blunt, practical violence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rap- / *rapp-
“A rough scraping or tearing action”
Middle Dutch / Middle Low German
Germanic
rapier / rapir
“A scraper, rasp, or rough tool”
Middle French
French
rapière
“A sword or long blade, especially a thrusting sword”
16th Century
English
rapier
“A long, slender thrusting sword”
Modern English
English
rapier
“A slender, sharply pointed sword designed mainly for thrusting.”