machete

Noun

1. A sword-like tool used for cutting large plants with a chopping motion, or used as a weapon.
2. A small stringed instrument from Madeira, Portugal, having a double bulged body, traditionally of wood, with a small rib and four metallic strings, sometimes attached by wooden pegs.

Verb

To cut or chop with a machete.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/məˈʃɛ.ti/

Etymology

Cognate with Old French: machier

Cognate with French: massue

In summary

From Spanish machete, diminutive of macho (“sledgehammer”), from Latin mattea, possibly from mactare (“slaughter in sacrifice”); cognate with Old French machier, French massue, English mace.

Synonyms

bush knife

cutlass

matchet

knife

🔪

dao

panga

sickle

big knife

Pacific ladyfish

cheat sheet

sword

cleaver

large knife

chopper

cut down

hook

🪝

crescent