{i} type of narrow-bladed sword used in the 18th century; type of double-edged sword used in the 16th and 17th centuries
If you say that someone has a rapier wit, you mean that they are very intelligent and quick at making clever comments or jokes in a conversation. Julie Burchill is famous for her precocity and rapier wit. a long thin sword with two sharp edges (rapière)
A civilian sword with a relatively long, lean blade to favor thrusting Especially 16th and 17th centuries
Also called "duello" or "fencing " These are the weapons used by the Three Musketeers and Sir Walter Raleigh: epees, foils, sabers, schlagers; face masks and gorgets; and doublets or fencing tunics See The Art of Defence, or contact the rapier marshal for more information
{s} extremely sharp, very keen; that describes a statement or sense of humour which is extremely shrewd and amusing
A straight sword, with a narrow and finely pointed blade, used only for thrusting
Long thrusting sword developed in Italy in the 1480's Originally used for both cut and thrust, the rapier became a weapon primarily used for thrusting Over one hundred variations were developed