Scimitar
/ˈsɪm.ɪ.tɑːr/noun
A curved sword with a broad blade, historically associated with Middle Eastern and South Asian weaponry.
Did you know?English scimitar ultimately came through French and Italian from Persian terms for a sword, showing how real weapons can travel farther than empires—and leave a trail in language.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
scimitar
“A curved sword.”
16th Century
French
cimeterre
“A curved sword.”
16th Century
Italian
scimitarra
“A curved sword.”
Medieval Persian
Persian
shamshīr
“A sword, especially a curved one.”
Earlier Persian / uncertain older source
Persian
samšīr / shamshīr
“A sword; the deeper origin is uncertain, but the term is long established in Persian.”