Meaning & use
épées
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“épées” is a form of “épée”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralsport
Plural of épée, a fencing sword with a stiff triangular blade and a bell guard, used for thrusting.
Grammar: Plural form: two épées lay on the bench.
Patterns
- fight with épées
The fencers checked their épées before the match began.
Épées are heavier than foils and have no restriction on target area.
The club owns a dozen épées for beginners.
nounpluralsport
The fencing weapons or events in which the épée is used, referred to as a group.
Grammar: Used when speaking about the weapon in general.
Patterns
- épées and foils
She competes with épées in international events.
Épées are wired to an electric scoring system.
Both épées and sabres were used in the final.
Word forms
| singular | épée |
|---|
Common combinations
- crossed épées
- Two crossed épées were painted on the wall.
- electric épées
- Electric épées register a hit when the tip is pressed.
- draw épées
- The fencers drew their épées and saluted.
- épées and foils
- The shop sells épées and foils.
Synonyms and how they differ
- swords
- Swords is a general word, whereas épées are one specific fencing type.
- foils
- Foils are lighter fencing weapons with a smaller target area, and are not the same as épées.
- blades
- Blades is a loose term for any sword and may refer to the metal part only.
Word family
Commonly confused: épées or sabres? épées or pays?
épées vs sabres
Sabres are slashing weapons with a curved guard, used in a different fencing event.
épées vs pays
The ending ees sounds like ays; the word is pronounced EH-pays, not epees like peas.
Practice
Fencers who compete in ___ may score a hit by touching any part of the opponent's body.
Choose one answer.
In épée fencing the whole body is a valid target. Foil and sabre have limited target areas, and pistols are not fencing weapons.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “épées”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.