HALBERDS
Noun
halberds
plural of halberd
Source: Wiktionary
HALBERD
Hal"berd, n. Etym: [F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG.
helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr.
G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf.
Icel. bar, a kind of ax, skegg beard, skeggia a kind of halberd) +
helm helmet; but cf. also MNG. helm, halm, handle, and E. helve. See
Beard, Helmet.] (Mil.)
Definition: An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point
and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes
additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form.
[Written also halbert.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition