An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. A weapon having various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle (Dictionary.com).
   

   2. → Orion’s Sword.

Etymology (EN): M.E.; O.E. sweord; cognate with Du. zwaard, Ger. Schwert, Sw. svärd.

Etymology (PE): Šamšir, Mid.Pers. šamšêr / šamšyl, Parthian safsêr; cf. Gk. sampsera denoting a “foreign sword.” The E. scimitar derives ultimately from šamšir through M.Fr. cimeterre or directly from It. scimitarra, possibly from an unknown Ottoman Turkish word, borrowed from Pers.