swashbuckler

English

Etymology

From swash + buckler.

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Noun

swashbuckler (plural swashbucklers)

  1. A swordsman or fencer who engages in showy or extravagant swordplay.
    • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 80:
      Phillips, in his New World of Words defines, to swash, to make fly about; to clash, or make a noise with swords; and a swash-buckler, a vain glorious sword player or fencer, a meer braggadochoe, a vapouring fellow.
  2. A daring adventurer.
  3. A kind of period adventure story with flashy action and a lighthearted tone.

Translations

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