bayonet

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a blade designed to be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle and used as a close-combat weapon

   The infantryman fixed his bayonet before advancing.

2. 2
   verb

   to stab or kill someone with a bayonet

   I had to bayonet an enemy.

3. 3
   noun

   A blade mounted to the end of a long gun, originally with a handle inserted into the bore, now usually attached underbarrel.

   Fig. 3. Its bayonet, to be fixed by sticking the handle into the muzzle of the musquet.

Simplified etymology

Bayonet is recorded from the late 17th century and may be connected with the French port of Bayonne. The connection is uncertain: the source says that if mayonnaise derives from Bayonne, it probably shares that root with bayonet.

Etymology tree French Bayonne Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tosder.? Late Latin -ittus Old French -et Middle French -et French -ette French baïonnetteder. English bayonet From French baïonnette, named after the French town of Bayonne, where the plug bayonet was invented.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary