cut-and-thrust

9.7

A fight with swords or knives using cutting and stabbing moves

noun
/ˈkʌt ənd θrʌst/

Specialized

: esgrima

The duel quickly turned into a vicious cut-and-thrust as both men fought for their lives.

Examples

The play depicted the deadly cut-and-thrust between rival gangs in the city.
The duel was a classic example of cut-and-thrust.
Medieval knights mastered the techniques of cut-and-thrust combat on the battlefield.
In the movie, the cut-and-thrust of the swordfight was breathtaking.
The duel was characterized by a fierce cut-and-thrust style, showcasing the skills of both swordsmen.
Knights in medieval battles relied heavily on cut-and-thrust techniques to overcome their opponents.
In the stage play, the actors used cut-and-thrust choreography to depict an intense sword fight.

Synonyms

knife fight

vscut-and-thrust

NSFW

9 7.4

A violent attack between people using knives to hurt each other

focuses on combat technique using both cutting and thrusting movements rather than mere violence

swordplay

vscut-and-thrust

5 6.1

To fight with swords in a skilled, energetic way

focuses on both cutting and thrusting movements rather than general skill

snickersnee

vscut-and-thrust

NSFW

1 9.9

A fight with knives

is the modern term for similar combat focusing on both cutting and thrusting

Surface Forms

cut-and-thrust singular

cut-and-thrusts plural

Morphology

cut-and-thrust = cut + thrust (transparent) = cut + and + thrust

The phrase is a direct compound of the nouns 'cut' and 'thrust' joined by 'and', so its meaning is clearly the combination of those actions.

Etymology

The word cut-and-thrust comes from the two simple actions used with a sword: cut meaning 'slash' and thrust meaning 'stab'. Imagine a fight of 'slashes' and 'stabs'; that image explains why cut-and-thrust means close fighting with knives or swords that use both cutting and thrusting moves.