Meaning & use
rapier
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Meanings
nouncountable
A long, thin sword with a sharp point, used mainly for thrusting rather than cutting.
Grammar: Countable: a rapier, two rapiers.
Patterns
- a rapier thrust
- wield a rapier
- a rapier blade
The fencer drew his rapier and saluted his opponent.
In the museum, we saw a collection of rapiers from the 17th century.
He was skilled at thrusting with a rapier.
adjectivebefore a nounfigurative
Used to describe something very sharp or quick, especially wit or a remark.
Grammar: Figurative use, usually before a noun: rapier wit. Not used after a verb.
Patterns
- rapier wit
- rapier-like
Her rapier wit could cut through any argument.
He was known for his rapier-like comments.
Word forms
| plural | rapiers |
|---|
Common combinations
- rapier wit
- The critic was famous for his rapier wit.
- rapier thrust
- The duelist made a quick rapier thrust.
- wield a rapier
- She learned to wield a rapier in fencing class.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: rapier or rapid?
rapier vs rapid
Rapier is a sword; rapid means fast. They sound similar but are unrelated.
Practice
The fencer used a ______ to thrust at his opponent.
Choose one answer.
Rapier is the correct noun for the thin, thrusting sword. Rapid is an adjective, rapids is a river noun, and rapidity means speed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rapier”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.