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Encyclopedia > Dirk

Dirk is a Scots word for a long dagger; sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt, rather than a knife blade. The word dirk could have possibly derived from the Gaelic word sgian dearg (red knife). It may also have been a corruption of the Low German terms Dulk or Dolk. The shift from dearg [ˈɮʲɛrəg] to dirk [dʌrk] is very minimal. Scots is an Anglic variety spoken in Scotland, where it is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic spoken by some in the Highlands and Islands (especially the Hebrides). ... A dagger (from Vulgar Latin: daca - a Dacian knife) is a blade weapon (essentially a double-edged knife) used for stabbing, thrusting or as a secondary defense weapon in close combat. ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Sword (from Old English sweord, cognate to Old High German Schwert, literally wounding tool from a Proto-Indo-European root *swer- to wound, to hurt) is a term for a long edged weapon, fundamentally consisting of a blade, usually with two edges for striking... See also: Hilt (band) and Peter Hilt Hilt of Szczerbiec The hilt of a sword is its handle, consisting of a guard, grip and pommel. ... Note: This page contains phonetic information presented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) using Unicode. ... Low German (also called Plattdeutsch, Plattdüütsch or Low Saxon, Old Saxon) is a name for the regional language varieties of the Low Germanic languages spoken mainly in northern Germany, and eastern Netherlands. ...


In Bronze Age and Iron Age Scotland and Ireland, the dirk was actually considered to be a sword. Its blade length and style varied, but it was generally 8-14 inches. However, the blades of Irish versions often were as much as 21 inches in length. The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... Iron Age Axe found on Gotland This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age, for the mythological Iron Age see Iron Age (mythology). ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen of the UK Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by...


In medieval Scotland, the dirk was a backup to the broadsword, and was wielded by the left hand while the scabbard was carried on the arm. Dirks were used to swear an oath upon in Celtic cultures. After the Battle of Culloden, the British government troops were aware that the Highlanders normally swore on their dirks, so, to prevent future uprisings or rebellions against the throne, they made them swear on oath never to "possess any gun, sword, or pistol, or to use tartan: "... and if I do so may I be cursed in my undertakings, family and property, may I be killed in battle as a coward, and lie without burial in a strange land, far from the graves of my forefathers and kindred; may all this come across me if I break my oath." Nearly every Scottish male at the time of the oath had a dirk. This was because most Scots were too poor to buy a sword. The dirk was small and was carried everywhere the owner went. The dirk was worn in plain view suspended from a belt at the waist. The term broadsword is used to refer to different types of swords, depending on when the term is used, and on what period is being talked about. ... A Celtic cross. ... Combatants Royal Army Jacobite Forces Commanders William Augustus Bonnie Prince Charlie Strength ca. ... A tartan is a specific woven pattern that often signifies a particular Scottish clan in the modern era. ...


Another shorter dagger tucked into a coat sleeve or stocking as part of Highland dress is known as a Sgian Dubh, derived from the arm pit dagger or sgian achlias. To this day, a real or false dirk is sometimes worn as a part of traditional Scottish costume. The Scottish Highlands are the mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. ... The Sgian Dubh (pronounced skeen doo, IPA /ski:n du:/, or lightly diphthongised /skian/) is a ceremonial dagger (Gaelic sgian) worn as part of the modern Scottish Highland dress along with the kilt. ...


In addition to these traditional weapons, other styles of dirk were worn by European and American forces on land and sea. Easier to carry than swords, dirks gained favor as lighter side arms among many military and naval officers during the 17th through 19th centuries. In some navies, they continued to be worn by midshipmen and cadets well into the 20th century. Numerous examples of naval dirks have survived from the earlier age of sail, some with histories of use during naval engagements. Most naval dirks were worn primarily on dress occasions, however, and consequently although attractive many were not designed for use in battle. Side Arms (full title: Side Arms: Hyper Dyne) is a video game released in 1986 by Capcom and distributed in the US by Romstar. ... The age of sail is the period in which international trade and naval warfare were both dominated by sailing ships. ...


Naval and other dirks were commonly made with either double-edged or single-edged blades, and there was no standard blade configuration. Reference books covering naval dirks invariably show the popularity of both blade types. As a consequence, historically there were about as many naval dirks mounting single-edged blades as those with double-edged blades. Some dirks have single-edged blades that also have a false edge near the tip, a feature that could be useful in a backcut. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...


Other meanings of 'dirk' as a weapon are

  • a side arm worn by officers, midshipmen, and cadets of the world's navies.
  • a short-bladed weapon used in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1500-1100 BC).
  • a thrown weapon, as opposed to a melee weapon.
  • a short dagger used by Pirates.
  • a small, straight-bladed dagger carried for personal protection.

In the USA, 'dirk' is a word used in the knife laws of several states. While it generally means any double-edged knife, the legal meaning may vary from state to state. A side arm is a small personal weapon that is typically worn on the body in a holster in such a way to permit immediate access and use. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... Traditional Finnish puukko knife A knife is a sharp-edged hand tool used for cutting. ...


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
News 8 | WFAA.com (238 words)
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Dirk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (588 words)
Dirk is a Scots word for a long dagger; sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt, rather than a knife blade.
In medieval Scotland, the dirk was a backup to the broadsword, and was wielded by the left hand while the scabbard was carried on the arm.
Some dirks have single-edged blades that also have a false edge near the tip, a feature that could be useful in a backcut.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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