Sabretooth
/ˈseɪbərˌtuːθ/noun
A carnivorous mammal with long, saber-like upper canine teeth, especially a prehistoric cat.
Did you know?The word is a modern descriptive compound, but its first element, saber, ultimately comes from a Central/Eastern European word for a curved sword, so the creature’s name literally frames its fangs as weapons.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
sabre-tooth
“A descriptive name for an animal with saber-shaped teeth”
16th Century
English
sabre
“A curved sword”
17th Century
French
sabre
“A cavalry sword with a curved blade”
16th Century
German
Säbel
“A curved sword”
Late Medieval
Hungarian
szablya
“A saber or curved sword”
Late Medieval
Italian
sabbia?
“Not applicable; no established etymology for this compound beyond saber + tooth”