English

Noun

bayonet ‎(plural bayonets)

1. (military) A pointed instrument of the dagger kind fitted on the muzzle of a musket or rifle, so as to give the soldier increased means of offence and defence. Originally, the bayonet was made with a handle, which required to be fitted into the bore of the musket after the soldier had fired.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page xvi:

     Fig. 3. Its bayonet, to be fixed by sticking the handle into the muzzle of the musquet.

2. (engineering) A pin which plays in and out of holes made to receive it, and which thus serves to engage or disengage parts of the machinery.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• knife
• spear
• sword

Verb

bayonet ‎(third-person singular simple present bayonets, present participle bayoneting or bayonetting, simple past and past participle bayoneted or bayonetted)

1. (transitive) To stab with a bayonet.
2. (transitive) To compel or drive by the bayonet.
   • Burke

     to bayonet us into submission

Usage notes

The spelling bayoneting and bayoneted are preferred in the US, while bayonetting and bayonetted are preferred in the UK.

Anagrams

• Oytaben

Indonesian

Etymology

From Dutch bajonet.

Noun

bayonet

1. bayonet