halberd

• halbert, halbard

(1495) Middle French hallebarde, from Italian alabarda, from Middle High German helmbarte (“broad-axe with handle”), from halm, from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle”) + barte (“hatchet”), from *bardaz (“broadax”), literally "beard."

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhæl.bɚd/, /ˈhɔl.bɚd/, /ˈhɑl.bɚd/

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• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈhælbəd/, /ˈhælbɜːd/

halberd (plural halberds)

1. A two-handed pole weapon, consisting of a long pole with an axe-like blade mounted on it (at a right angle like an axe, not on the tip like a spear), and (opposite the blade) typically a spike or hook.

• twibill
• Swiss voulge, voulge

• James A. H. Murray et al., editors (1884–1928), “Halberd”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC.
• “halberd”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• “halberd”, in Collins English Dictionary.