A straight, sharp-pointed sword with a narrow blade, designed primarily for thrusting rather than cutting; commonly used in 16th and 17th century Europe.
From French 'estoc,' derived from Old Frankish 'stok' (stick or trunk). The word traveled through Old French into English, describing the distinctive weaponry that evolved as armor became more heavily plated.
As medieval plate armor got thicker and stronger, swords had to change from slashing weapons to specialized thrusting weapons—the estoc represents that technological evolution in medieval warfare.
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