Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The hilt of a sword when made with a simple cross-guard or pair of quillons, and with no other defense for the hand.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word cross-hilt.

Examples

  • The sword was planted between the shoulders, and its cross-hilt, rising between the horns of the bull, reminded of those Gothic engravings where

    Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 382, October 1847 Various

  • But you must promise me upon the cross-hilt of your sword that you will speak truthfully.

    The Faery Tales of Weir Anna McClure Sholl

  • He took his sword, and kissed the cross-hilt, murmuring aloud the Latin prayer, "_Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam_."

    Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 5 of 8 A series of pen and pencil sketches of the lives of more than 200 of the most prominent personages in History 1906

  • The Vidame's hand flashed up above the priest's head, and the cross-hilt of his sheathed sword crashed down with awful force, and still more awful passion, on the other's tonsure!

    The House of the Wolf; a romance Stanley John Weyman 1891

  • D'Aguilar nodded, kissed the cross-hilt of his sword in confirmation of the pact, bowed courteously, and put himself on his defence.

    Fair Margaret Henry Rider Haggard 1890

  • Anne of Auch brought the great blade, in its velvet scabbard, with its cross-hilt bound with twisted wire of gold for the old Duke's grip.

    Via Crucis 1881

  • He walked with slow strides, his bright eyes seeming to cut a way for him, his long mantle trailing, his soft red leather boots pushed down in close creases about his ankles, his gloved hand pressing down the cross-hilt of his sword, so that the sheath lifted his mantle behind him.

    Via Crucis 1881

  • He took his sword by the handle, kissed its cross-hilt as an act of devotion, and repeated the _Miserere_, -- "Have pity on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy!"

    Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15) The Romance of Reality. French. Charles Morris 1877

  • Aases fought, but St. Olaf, with his victorious, dazzling, cross-hilt sword, "turned to stock and stone."

    The Visionary Pictures From Nordland Jonas Lauritz Idemil Lie 1870

  • "You remember in the old times, Imp, when knights rode out to battle, it was customary for them when they made a solemn promise to kiss the cross-hilt of their swords, just to show they meant to keep it.

    My Lady Caprice Jeffery Farnol 1915

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.