Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Machete

//məˈʃɛ.ti// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun

1
A sword-like tool used for cutting large plants with a chopping motion, or used as a weapon.
"Near-synonyms: (all sometimes or regionally synonymous) bolo, golok, panga, parang, sundang"
2
a large heavy knife used as a weapon or for cutting vegetation wordnet
3
A small stringed instrument from Madeira, Portugal, having a double bulged body, traditionally of wood, with a small rib and four metallic strings, sometimes attached by wooden pegs.

Verb

1
To cut or chop with a machete. transitive
"After some hours of intense work, we had macheted a path through the jungle to the bank of the river."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Spanish machete, diminutive of macho (“sledgehammer”), from Latin mattea, possibly from mactare (“slaughter in sacrifice”); cognate with Old French machier, French massue, English mace.

Etymology 2

From Spanish machete, diminutive of macho (“sledgehammer”), from Latin mattea, possibly from mactare (“slaughter in sacrifice”); cognate with Old French machier, French massue, English mace.

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: machete