pommel

C1 Topic:General Vocabulary

US /ˈpɑməl/ UK /ˈpɒməl/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like pummel /ʌ/ vs /ɑ/

Freq #66837

Meanings

1

noun
the raised front part of a saddle, used as a handhold

The rider rested one hand on the pommel as the horse turned.
2

noun
the rounded knob at the end of a sword or dagger handle

A silver pommel balanced the weight of the sword's blade.
3

noun
one of the two handles on a pommel horse in gymnastics

The gymnast shifted his weight smoothly between the pommels.
4

verb
to strike repeatedly, especially with the fists

The attackers began to pommel the locked door in frustration.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the raised front part of a... saddlebow

2 noun · the rounded knob at the end... knob

3 noun · one of the two handles on a... handle

4 verb · to strike repeatedly,... pummel beat

Word family

Derived forms pommeler

Related forms pummel saddlesword hilt

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

pommel horse
a gymnastics apparatus with a padded body and two raised handles

Noun + noun

Etymology

From Middle English pomel, from Old French pomel, a diminutive of pome, 'apple,' ultimately from Latin pomum. The rounded saddle and sword parts were named for their apple-like shape. The striking verb is historically related to pummel.

Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# pommel

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɑməl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpɒməl/
**Frequency rank:** 66837

## Meanings
1. the raised front part of a saddle, used as a handhold
2. the rounded knob at the end of a sword or dagger handle
3. one of the two handles on a pommel horse in gymnastics
4. to strike repeatedly, especially with the fists

## Examples
- The rider rested one hand on the pommel as the horse turned.
- A silver pommel balanced the weight of the sword's blade.
- The gymnast shifted his weight smoothly between the pommels.
- The attackers began to pommel the locked door in frustration.

## Synonyms
- saddlebow
- knob
- handle

## Derived Forms
- pommeler

## Related Forms
- pummel
- saddle
- sword hilt

## Etymology
From Middle English pomel, from Old French pomel, a diminutive of pome, 'apple,' ultimately from Latin pomum. The rounded saddle and sword parts were named for their apple-like shape. The striking verb is historically related to pummel.

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

markdown