swashbuckler English · revision 1940

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[swash]] “to strike, clash”^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and [[buckler]] “a small shield”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) An earlier name was simply ''swash'' (1540s).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A swaggering bravo or ruffian; a noisy braggart (1560; 1550s in Etymonline).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The original sense seems to have been one who makes a menacing noise by striking his own or an opponent's shield.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) It came to mean a swaggering fighting man,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and then, more admiringly, a daring and flamboyant adventurer.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) From 1975 it also names a book or film about such characters.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(AHD) ''Swashbuckling'' is recorded before 1693.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1540s – ''swash'', a swaggerer.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1560 – a swaggering ruffian.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * before 1693 – ''swashbuckling''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1975 – a swashbuckling book or film.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A flamboyant swordsman or daring adventurer.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A swaggering, sword-wielding ruffian or bully.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A novel, play or film about such a character.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[swashbuckling]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[swashbuckle]]

+ * [[swash]]

+ * [[buckler]]

+ * [[bravado]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}