Bayonet vs. Sword — What's the Difference?

A bayonet (from French baïonnette) is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit on the end of the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar firearm, allowing it to be used as a spear-like weapon. From the 17th century to World War I, it was considered a primary weapon for infantry attacks.

A sword is an edged, bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. Its blade, longer than a knife or dagger, is attached to a hilt and can be straight or curved.

A blade attached to and extending from the muzzle end of a musket, rifle, or other firearm and used as a weapon in close combat.

A handheld weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.

To prod, stab, or kill with this weapon.

An instrument of death or destruction.

(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 needed to be fitted into the bore of the musket after the soldier had fired.

The use of force, as in war.

(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.

Military power or jurisdiction.

(transitive) To stab with a bayonet.

(weaponry) A long-bladed weapon device with a grip- a hilt (a pommel and cross guard), which is designed to cut, stab, slash and/or hack.

(transitive) To compel or drive by the bayonet.

(tarot) A suit in the minor arcana in tarot.

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 offense and defense.

(tarot) A card of this suit.

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.

(weaving) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

To stab with a bayonet.

(heraldry) The weapon, often used as a heraldic charge.

To compel or drive by the bayonet.

To stab or cut with a sword

A knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp-pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.

Stab or kill someone with a bayonet

Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.

Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.

The military power of a country.

One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

A cutting or thrusting weapon with a long blade