plural of scutching sword

plural of hunting sword

plural of bearing sword

(chiefly history, Roman Catholicism) Spiritual and temporal power, church and state. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see two, sword.

plural of flaming sword

In strong conflict with each other, ready to fight.

(idiomatic, metonymically) More influence and power can be usurped by writing than by fighting.

(philosophy) A philosophical razor which states that what cannot be settled by experiment is not worth debating.

plural of double-edged sword

To try someone's skill in the use of the sword. / (figuratively) To match one's abilities against an antagonist's.