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basket hilt

basket hilt

9.3
A metal guard on a sword shaped like a small cage to protect the hand
  • noun
translation icon : puño de canasta
  • The basket hilt offers excellent protection for the wielder’s hand during combat.

Examples

  • The Scottish broadsword is famous for its distinctive basket hilt.

  • Many historical swords feature a basket hilt design.

  • Collectors prize antique swords with ornate basket hilts for their craftsmanship.

  • The knight's sword had a beautiful basket hilt.

  • Collectors prize antique swords with ornate basket hilts for their craftsmanship.

  • The basket hilt offers excellent protection for the wielder’s hand during combat.

  • The Scottish broadsword is famous for its distinctive basket hilt.

Synonyms

hilt
vsbasket hilt
24 7.5

The handle of a sword or dagger that you hold

includes a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand

Surface Forms

basket hilt singular
basket hilts plural

Morphology

basket + hilt

The meaning 'a hilt with a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'basket' (denoting a basket-like shape) with 'hilt' (the grip or handle of a weapon). This noun‑compound pattern (shape/modifier + head noun) is common and cross‑linguistically predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Basket hilt comes from the sword's hilt, the handle, which is built like a metal cage or basket that covers the hand. So the name shows it is a type of hilt that 'protects the hand' during fighting.