German

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Etymology

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Compound of Reiter +‎ Schwert

Noun

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Reiterschwert n (strong, genitive Reiterschwertes or Reiterschwerts, plural Reiterschwerter)

  1. cavalry sword
    Synonym: Kavallerieschwert

Usage notes

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Reiterschwert is used in antiquarian or archaizing contexts; the 16th-century curassier swords are also known as Kürisschwert (Kürissschwert). For modern (post-17th-century) cavalry swords, the more modern Kavallerieschwert is used. Kavallerieschwert can also be applied to pre-modern cavalry swords such as the Roman or Frankish spatha.

Declension

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Synonyms

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References

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  • Wendelin Boeheim, Handbuch der Waffenkunde (1890), 244-247.