Stiletto
/stɪˈlɛt.oʊ/noun
A very slender pointed dagger or a very thin high-heeled shoe.
Did you know?In Italian, *stiletto* comes from *stilo* (“stylus, pointed instrument”), ultimately from Latin *stilus*, so the word’s history is about sharp points first and elegance second.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
stilus
“A pointed writing instrument or stylus used for scratching wax tablets.”
Old Italian
Italian
stilo
“A pointed tool or stylus; also a slender dagger.”
Middle Italian
Italian
stiletto
“A small, slender dagger.”
16th Century
English
stiletto
“A thin, pointed dagger.”
20th Century
English
stiletto
“A very thin, high, pointed heel on a shoe.”