cutlass
noun
cut·lass
| \ ˈkət-ləs
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Definition of cutlass
1
: a short curving sword formerly used by sailors on warships
2
: machete
Examples of cutlass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The waving of cutlasses in the narrow waters between Arabia and Iran was the moment when two different and competing approaches to Iran between Western allies crossed. — Sam Kiley, CNN, "Iran shows growing fury in the Gulf. It really is desperate to talk," 11 July 2019 All pirates start with a relatively beefy collection of items, including weapons (pistol, sniper rifle, cutlass), utilitarian items (compass, shovel, bucket), and goofy stuff (beer mug, pair of musical instruments). — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Microsoft might finally have a forward-thinking game with Sea of Thieves," 30 Jan. 2018 There’s a Pirate Gallery and a Western Room packed with mannequins baring cutlasses and six-guns. — Vincent Crampton, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Hernando County: This roadside attraction is alive and kicking," 6 May 2018 Most households in the Guyana countryside still have a cutlass (or a machete). — Longreads, "Kara Walker’s Subtlety," 28 Feb. 2018 His right arm is raised high with a cutlass (a machete). — Longreads, "Kara Walker’s Subtlety," 28 Feb. 2018 Those in particularly dangerous areas carried cutlasses. — Amanda Coletta, WSJ, "Why Britain’s ‘Bobbies’ Have Long Been Unarmed," 18 Sep. 2017 Stabbed repeatedly with cutlasses and bayonets, ten officers, including the ship’s sadistic captain, Hugh Pigot, were thrown overboard. — A. Roger Ekirch, Smithsonian, "How the Bloodiest Mutiny in British Naval History Helped Create American Political Asylum," 24 Mar. 2017 Cutlass in one hand, pistol in the other, Blackbeard engaged the lieutenant in a duel to the death. — Chris Scott, CNN, "The real pirates of the Caribbean," 26 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cutlass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cutlass
cutlass
noun
English Language Learners Definition of cutlass
: a short, heavy sword with a curved blade that was used by sailors and pirates in the past
See the full definition for cutlass in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cutlass
noun
cut·lass
| \ ˈkət-ləs
\
\
Kids Definition of cutlass
: a short heavy curved sword