main-gauche
See also: main gauche
English
editEtymology
editFrench, left hand.
Noun
edit- (historical) A relatively large dagger, especially popular in the 17th century. It was held in the left hand (the non-dominant hand), while the rapier was held in the right. It was mainly used to parry thrusts of the adversary's rapier.
References
edit- “main-gauche”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.