Glaymore

/ˈɡleɪmɔːr/ noun

Definition

Variant or alternative spelling of claymore; a large Scottish broadsword with a distinctive cross-shaped hilt, used in medieval and early modern times.

Etymology

From Scottish Gaelic claidheamh mòr 'great sword' (claidheamh 'sword' + mòr 'great'). The spelling 'glaymore' represents dialectal pronunciation variations of this Gaelic loanword.

Kelly Says

The claymore/glaymore shows how Gaelic words got mangled by English speakers—'claidheamh mòr' sounded like 'claymore' to English ears, and nobody bothered to fix the spelling for centuries.

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