Pronunciation: [kˈʌtləs] (IPA) 
The word "cutlass" is spelled with a "cu" followed by a "t" and then a "lass". The "cu" is pronounced with a short "uh" sound, while the "t" produces a sharp, short burst of air. Finally, the "lass" is pronounced with a long "a" followed by a soft "s" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "cutlass" is /ˈkʌtləs/. The word refers to a short, curved sword or a pirate's weapon of choice often seen in films and books set in the Caribbean.
A cutlass is a type of sword or short, curved-bladed weapon often associated with sailors and pirates. It typically has a single-edged blade with a slight curve, relatively wide near the hilt and tapering to a point. The shape of the blade allows for effective slashing attacks and close-quarter combat.
Historically, cutlasses gained popularity among seafarers during the Age of Sail, specifically during the 17th and 18th centuries. Their design and balance made them versatile for naval battles, shipboard combat, and boarding enemy vessels. The sturdy hilt of the cutlass often featured a protective basket guard to shield the wielder's hand during combat.
Cutlasses were commonly used by both pirates and sailors due to their effectiveness in close combat situations, where a sword with a longer blade could be cumbersome. The hilt's guards not only protected the hand but could also be used to disarm opponents. The curved blade allowed for efficient slashing attacks against targets such as ropes, sails, or even an adversary's limbs.
Although used mainly at sea, cutlasses found their way into military service as well. They were sometimes issued to naval forces for use in boarding actions or as secondary weapons for infantry in certain armies. While their usage has diminished in modern times, the cutlass continues to retain its symbolic association with pirates, as depicted in literature, movies, and other forms of popular culture.
A broadsword used by seamen in boarding an enemy's ship.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cutlass" has its etymological roots in the Late Latin word "cultellus", which means "small knife". This term was derived from the Latin word "culter", which means "knife" or "blade". In the early 16th century, the word "cutlass" appeared in English to refer to a short, curved sword used by sailors and pirates. The word likely made its way into English through the influence of Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese, which had their own versions of the word.
