Category:Halberd

Hal"berd, n. Etym: [F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG. helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf. Icel. bar, a kind of ax, skegg beard, skeggia a kind of halberd) + helm helmet; but cf. also MNG. helm, halm, handle, and E. helve. See Beard, Helmet.] (Mil.)

Defn: An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form. [Written also halbert.]