A curved, single-edged sword with a hand guard, originally used by cavalry. Also refers to a modern fencing weapon or to threaten aggressively (sabre-rattling).
From French 'sabre', possibly from Hungarian 'szablya' or German 'Säbel'. The weapon spread through Europe via Ottoman and Hungarian cavalry, adapting to different military traditions.
The sabre's curved design made it perfect for slashing from horseback, and this shape influenced everything from kitchen knives to the iconic lightsaber. Fencing sabres today preserve the weapon's aggressive spirit - it's the only fencing discipline where you can score hits with the blade's edge, not just the tip.
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