bayonet

Where does the word "bayonet" come from? It comes from French Bayonne, passing through French before entering English (1610s-1670s).

Bayonet’s story begins in French: Bayonne meant “a city in southwestern France.” A Gascon city whose blades, according to tradition, gave their name to the weapon. Within French, it grew into baionnette by 1500s. A dagger named for its city of manufacture. It reached English by 1610s-1670s as bayonet. First a stabbing dagger, then specifically the blade fixed to a musket's muzzle. Today, bayonet means a blade attached to the muzzle of a rifle for close combat.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval Bayonne "a city in southwestern France", a Gascon city whose blades, according to tradition, gave their name to the weapon.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s baionnette "a type of dagger or knife", a dagger named for its city of manufacture.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1610s-1670s bayonet "a blade weapon fixed to the muzzle of a rifle", first a stabbing dagger, then specifically the blade fixed to a musket's muzzle.