HILT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does hilt mean? 

• HILT (noun)
  The noun HILT has 1 sense:

1. the handle of a sword or dagger

  Familiarity information: HILT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HILT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The handle of a sword or dagger

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("hilt" is a kind of...):

grip; handgrip; handle; hold (the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it)

Meronyms (parts of "hilt"):

knob; pommel (an ornament in the shape of a ball on the hilt of a sword or dagger)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hilt"):

basket hilt (a hilt with a basket-shaped guard for the hand)

Holonyms ("hilt" is a part of...):

dagger; sticker (a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing)

blade; brand; steel; sword (a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard)

 Context examples 

By my hilt! it was a sight that was worth the seeing, for all that was best in England was out on the water that day.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Quincey raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her intently, whilst Harker's hand instinctively closed round the hilt of his Kukri.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He held his sword drawn in his hand to defend himself, if I should happen to break loose; it was almost three inches long; the hilt and scabbard were gold enriched with diamonds.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

In half a minute he had reached the port scuppers and picked, out of a coil of rope, a long knife, or rather a short dirk, discoloured to the hilt with blood.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

How many of our ancestors have done the same, save only that a sword-hilt lay in their closed hands; but of them all I do not know that any have carried themselves more gallantly!

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We have seen good work together, old war-dog, quoth Aylward; and, by my hilt! we may hope to see more ere we die.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Silver, agile as a monkey even without leg or crutch, was on the top of him next moment and had twice buried his knife up to the hilt in that defenceless body.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

And as for that monstrous animal with whom I was so lately engaged (it was indeed as large as an elephant), if my fears had suffered me to think so far as to make use of my hanger, (looking fiercely, and clapping my hand on the hilt, as I spoke) when he poked his paw into my chamber, perhaps I should have given him such a wound, as would have made him glad to withdraw it with more haste than he put it in.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Harker smiled—actually smiled—the dark, bitter smile of one who is without hope; but at the same time his action belied his words, for his hands instinctively sought the hilt of the great Kukri knife and rested there.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“This is the proper way to raise children. By my hilt! I could not have trained them better had I the ordering of it myself.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)