BAYONET

takes its name from Bayonne, where it was first made about 1660. It was probably brought to Europe by Dutch soldiers from the East Indies. Originally it fitted into the gun-barrel, but General Mackay in 1689 invented the socket-bayonet, which allows the gun to be fired with the B. fixed. B. is either for thrusting, or for cut-and-thrust. The former is generally used by troops armed with long rifles. [music, and has a most magnificent theatre.