shable

English

Etymology

Borrrowed from either Italian sciabla, Hungarian szablya or Polish szabla. Doublet of sabre.

Noun

shable (plural shables)

1. A sabre or curved sword.
   • 1680, Robert Harford, English Military Discipline, Or, The Way and Method of Exercising Horse & Foot According to the Practice of this Present Time: With a Treatise of All Sorts of Arms and Engines of War, of Fire-works, Ensigns, and Other Military Instruments, Both Ancient and Modern, Enriched with Many Figures, Robert Harford at the Angel in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange, page 12:

     The Shable is more in use amongst the Horse, than other Bodies of Men, it is not altogether as long as the Sword; but to make amends for that, the Blade is twice so broad and edged on one side; and therefore it is more used for cutting than thrusting.

   • 1749, W. Crookshank, History Church of Scotland, volume II, page 22:

     At last, the Commander struck him with a shabble on the face.

References

• Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “shable | shabble (n.), sense 1,” March 2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/1016575666.