Etymology Map
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Kilij

2 stages from Ottoman Turkish to English.

Today it means a curved Turkish sabre

Where does the word "kilij" come from? It comes from Ottoman Turkish kılıç, adopted directly into English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
kılıç
Ottoman Turkish · 1400s
"sword"
'sword'; its broad, flared tip gave great force to a cutting stroke
2
Stage 2 of 2
kilij
English · 1800s
"Turkish sabre"
the US Marine Corps officers' 'Mameluke sword', given to Presley O'Bannon in 1805, follows the kilij pattern
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Read the full story

Kilij’s story begins in Ottoman Turkish: kılıç meant “sword.” 'sword'; its broad, flared tip gave great force to a cutting stroke. It reached English by 1800s as kilij. The US Marine Corps officers' 'Mameluke sword', given to Presley O'Bannon in 1805, follows the kilij pattern. Today, kilij means a curved Turkish sabre.