baldric

Meaning

A broad belt used to hold a sword, sometimes richly ornamented, worn diagonally from shoulder to hip (across the breast, and under the opposite arm); less properly, any belt.

Synonyms

baldrick

girdle

Translations

baudrier

balteo

tracolla

bandelier

schouderriem

tahalí

Wehrgehänge

kılıç kayışı

διαγώνιος ζώνη

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɔːldɹɪk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: baudrik

Cognate with Old Provençal: baldrei

Cognate with English: raiment

Cognate with Middle High German: balderich

In summary

From Middle English baudrik, bauderik, from Old French baudré, baldré, baldrei (“sword-belt, crossbelt”), of obscure origin. Probably from Frankish *balterād, from earlier *baltiraidī (“belt gear, belt equipment”) (compare Old Occitan baldrei, baudrat), from Frankish *balti (“belt”), from Latin balteus + Frankish *(ga)raidī (“equipment”), related to English raiment, array. The word was borrowed from Old French into Middle High German balderich, belderich, which likely influenced the Middle English form.
From Latin balteus (“belt”) (said by Varro) is possibly of Etruscan origin. Compare French baudrier.