Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An obsolete form of poniard.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Suspecting one day that the prætor Quintus Gallius had come to an audience with a poinard under his robe, he had him put to the torture in his presence; and, in his indignation at hearing that senator call him a tyrant, he tore out his eyes with his own hands; at least, so says Suetonius.

    A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

  • She fell down on her knees to him, as soon as he had wrest-ed the poinard from her.

    Sir Charles Grandison 2006

  • Lord bless me, my dear, the doctor has mentioned to me in confidence, that she always carries a poinard about her; and that once she used it.

    Sir Charles Grandison 2006

  • Vitellius, fallen from empire, prolonging his ignominy from a wretched love of life, delivered over to the merciless rabble; tossed, buffeted, and kicked about; constrained, by their holding a poinard under his chin, to raise his head, and expose himself to every contumely.

    An Enquiry into the Principles of Morals 2006

  • She was enraged because he would not; and they were high together; and at last she pulled out of her stays, in fury, a poinard, and vowed to plunge it into his heart.

    Sir Charles Grandison 2006

  • Tyrannicide, or the assassination of usurpers and oppressive princes, was highly extolled in ancient times; because it both freed mankind from many of these monsters, and seemed to keep the others in awe, whom the sword or poinard could not reach.

    An Enquiry into the Principles of Morals 2006

  • His agitation and repugnance to strike encreased with every moment of delay, and, as often as he prepared to plunge the poinard in her bosom, a shuddering horror restrained him.

    The Italian 2004

  • Spalatro put up the poinard in his bosom without speaking, threw the cloak over his arm, and moved with a loitering step towards the door.

    The Italian 2004

  • Montoni arrested his half-extended arm, and, with a significant look, made him return the poinard into his bosom, unseen by all except himself; for most of the party were disputing at a distant window, on the situation of a dell where they meant to form an ambuscade.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • Better die at once — better plunge a poinard in her bosom, still untouched by drear adversity, and then again sheathe it in my own!

    The Last Man 2003

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