Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

scimitar

/ˈsɪmɪtəɹ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.47 in modern English

Syllables: scim-i-tar
IPA: /ˈsɪmɪtəɹ/

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A sword of Persian origin that features a curved blade.

noun

A long-handled billhook.

verb

To strike or slice with, or as if with, a scimitar.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"The Prince of Morocco: […]By this Symitare, That ſlew the Sophie, and a Perſian Prince That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would ore-ſtare the ſterneſt eies that looke, Out-braue the heart moſt daring on the earth: Plucke the yong ſucking Cubs from the ſhe Beare, Yea, mocke the Lion when he rors for pray To win the Ladie. […]"
"Next door is a room devoted to Albanian history (“what a lovely scimitar,” I find myself exclaiming, my reserves of small talk inadequate at the sight of the family’s sword collection),[…]"

Etymology

First attested in 1548. From Middle French cimeterre (15c.) or directly from Italian scimitarra, possibly from an unknown Ottoman Turkish word, ultimately from Classical Persian شمشیر (šamšēr, “sword”). Doublet of shamshir.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: cimeterre, scimitarra, -, شمشیر

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈsɪmɪtəɹ/
British English: /ˈsɪmɪtə/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

scimitars (plural) simitar (alternative, archaic) cimeter (alternative, obsolete) cimiter (alternative, obsolete) cymeter (alternative, obsolete) scimetar (alternative, obsolete) scimiter (alternative, obsolete) semitar (alternative, obsolete) scimitars (present, singular) scimitaring (participle, present) scimitared (participle, past) scimitared (past)

Derived Forms

scimmy

Phrases

scimitar babbler scimitar bean scimitar cat scimitar-horned oryx scimitar leg scimitar pod scimitar shell scimitar syndrome

Frequently Paired Words

falchion

Rhymes With

limiter calorimeter delimiter trimeter dimeter cimeter scimiter scimetar

Questions

How do you pronounce scimitar?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsɪmɪtəɹ/.
What does scimitar mean?: A sword of Persian origin that features a curved blade.
Where does scimitar come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce scimitar

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “scimitar”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsɪmɪtəɹ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “scimitar”.
Repeat and practice — Say “scimitar” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.