Search the Dictionary

A handle; especially, the handle of a sword, dagger, or the like.

Having a hilt; -- used in composition; as, basket-hilted, cross-hilted.

A tract of crown land in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, England, to which is attached the nominal office of steward. As members of Parliament cannot resign, when they wish to go out they accept this stewardship, which legally vacates their seats.

A potion or charm intended to excite the passion of love. [Written also philtre.] Addison.

To thrust in up to the hilt; as, to uphilt one's sword into an enemy. [R.] Stanyhurst.

thy blood abolish so reproachful blot. Spenser. His quick instinctive hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him. Tennyson.

uran of the genus Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See Astrophyton. -- Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork to protect the hand. Hudibras. Hence, Baskethilted, a. -- Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs. -- Basket worm (Zoöl.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus…

Same as Philter.

The stronger part of the blade of a sword; the part of half nearest the hilt; -- opposed to foible.

That part of a sword hilt which protects the hand.

hand, and by which it is held and used; -- said chiefly of a knife, sword, or dagger; the hilt. This brandish'dagger I'll bury to the haft in her fair breast. Dryden.

The hilt of a weapon. Halliwell.

To dress, adorn, deck, or supply with jewels, as a dress, a sword hilt, or a watch; to bespangle, as with jewels. The long gray tufts . . . are jeweled thick with dew. M. Arnold.

That part of the hilt, in certain kinds of swords, which overlaps the scabbard.

A philter or love potion. [Obs.] Shak.

for being worn or otherwise used, as a diamond by setting, or a sword blade by adding the hilt, scabbard, etc.

The knob on the hilt of a sword. Macaulay.

ords; swordplay. -- Sword grass. (Bot.) See Gladen. -- Sword knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword. -- Sword law, government by the sword, or by force; violence. Milton. -- Sword lily. (Bot.) See Gladiolus. -- Sword mat (Naut.), a mat closely woven of yarns; -- so called from a wooden implement used in its ma…

The blade of a sword. [Obs.] The sword, whereof the web was steel, Pommel rich stone, hilt gold. Fairfax.