swordman ship (sord man ship)

[ Lord Ru ell. has always been one of the readiest and most efficient of debaters, po e ing that faculty of keen and direct retort which is like skilful sword-play. T. W. Higginson , Eng. Statesmen, p. 146. 2. A sword-dance. They [Gauls in Britain] have but one kind of show, and they use it at every gathering. Naked lads, who know the game, leap among swords and in front of spears. Practice gives cleverne , and cleverne grace: but it is not a trade, or a thing done for hire; however venturesome the sport, their only payment is the delight of the crowd. Tacitus (trans.), quoted in Elton's Origins of Eng. Hist., [p. 123. sword-player (sõrd'plā"èr), n . One skilled in sword-play; a fencer. Vaschus Nunnez therefore,. set tinge them in order of battell after his swordeplayers fa hion, puffed vppe with pryde, placed his souldiers as pleased hym in the forwarde and rereward. Peter Martyr (tr. in Eden's First Books on America, ed. [Arber, p. 115). Come, my brave sword - player , to what active use Was all this steel provided? B. Jonson, Cat i line, v. 4. sword-pommel (sõrd'pum"el), n. See pommel, 1 ( α ). sword-proof (sõrd'pröf), a . Capable of resist- ing a blow or thrust of a sword. The helmets of the German army are made sword - proof by a lining of cane wicker-work. Spons' Encyc. Manuf ., I. 598.