hilt

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the handle assembly of a sword or dagger, including its grip, guard, and pommel

   The knight rested one hand on the hilt of his sword.

2. 2
   verb

   to provide a blade with a hilt

   The craftsperson hilted the restored sword with walnut and brass.

From Middle English hilt or hilte and Old English hilt, hilte, inherited from an ancient Germanic word for a weapon handle. Cognates include Old Norse hjalt and Old High German helza. The idiom to the hilt, 'completely,' imagines a blade driven in as far as its handle.

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