arming sword

English

Noun

arming sword (plural arming swords)

1. (historical) A sword seen as a being a part of someone's set of arms or military accoutrements; a warrior's regimental or official sword.
   • 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

     Lo, to that shore one in an auncient gowne, / Whose hoarie locks great grauitie did crowne, / Holding in hand a goodly arming sword, / By fortune came [...].