Where does “halberd” come from?
Halberd comes from Middle French hallebarde, from Italian alabarda, from Middle High German halmbarte, from Middle Low German halm.
halberd (English): A hand weapon consisting of a long pole fitted...
Definitions
- A hand weapon consisting of a long pole fitted...
Ancestry of “halberd”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | hallebarde | — |
| 2 | Italian | alabarda | halberd |
| 3 | Middle High German | helmbarte | A broad-axe with a handle |
| 4 | Middle High German | helm | stalk |
| 5 | Old High German | helm | helmet |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | helm | helmet |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | helmaz | helmet |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | halmaz | halm; stem; stalk; straw; hay |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱolh₂mos | stalk |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |