porte-épée

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word porte-épée. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word porte-épée, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say porte-épée in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word porte-épée you have here. The definition of the word porte-épée will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofporte-épée, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From French porte-épée.

Noun

porte-épée

  1. A strap, buckle or other fastening by which a sword or scabbard is held attached to a person's belt, clothing etc.
    Synonym: frog
    • 1987, Alaric Faulkner, Gretchen Fearon Faulkner, The French at Pentagoet, page 251:
      An additional strap extends from the porte-épée and hooks onto the front of the belt with another clasp to stabilize the arrangement.
    • 2002, Josepth Roth, translated by Michael Hofmann, The Radetsky March, Folio Society, published 2015, page 134:
      He held the porte-épée in his hand. The metalled silk seemed to trickle between his fingers, like cool golden rain.

French

Etymology

Literally, sword carrier.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɔʁ.te.pe/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

porte-épée m (plural porte-épées)

  1. (historical, military) porte-épée
  2. a swordtail (fish)
    • 1999, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, volume 56, page 830:
      [] ont été exposés à des extraits de tissus de saumon quinnat ou de porte-épée (Xiphophorus helleri).

Descendants

  • English: porte-épée
  • German: Portepee

Further reading