He hath no more authority over the sword than over the law.
Milton.
5. (Weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is
suspended.
Sword arm, the right arm. -- Sword bayonet, a bayonet shaped somewhat
like a sword, and which can be used as a sword. -- Sword bearer, one
who carries his master's sword; an officer in London who carries a
sword before the lord mayor when he goes abroad. -- Sword belt, a belt
by which a sword is suspended, and borne at the side. -- Sword blade,
the blade, or cutting part, of a sword. -- Sword cane, a cane which
conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath. -- Sword
dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together
by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords
laid on the ground, but without touching them. -- Sword fight, fencing;
a combat or trial of skill with swords; swordplay. -- Sword grass.
(Bot.) See Gladen. -- Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword.
-- Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence. Milton.
-- Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus. -- Sword mat (Naut.), a mat
closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in
its manufacture. -- Sword shrimp (Zoöl.), a European shrimp (Pasiphæa
sivado) having a very thin, compressed body. -- Sword stick, a sword
cane. -- To measure swords with one. See under Measure, v. t. -- To put
to the sword. See under Put.
Sword"bill` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A humming bird (Docimastes ensiferus)
having a very long, slender bill, exceeding the length of the body of
the bird.
Sword"ed, a. [Cf. AS. geswurdod.] Girded with a sword. Milton.
Sword"er (?), n. One who uses, or fights with, a sword; a swordsman; a
soldier; a cutthroat. [Obs.] Shak.
Sword"fish` (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) (a) A very large oceanic fish (Xiphias
gladius), the only representative of the family Xiphiidæ. It is highly
valued as a food fish. The bones of the upper jaw are consolidated, and
form a long, rigid, swordlike beak; the dorsal fin is high and without
distinct spines; the ventral fins are absent. The adult is destitute of
teeth. It becomes sixteen feet or more long. (b) The gar pike. (c) The
cutlass fish.