1. A weapon consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved, pointed blade having one or two cutting edges and set into a hilt.
2. An instrument of death or destruction.
3. 1. The use of force, as in war.
   2. Military power or jurisdiction.

at swords' points

1. Ready for a fight.

1. To kill; slay.

[Middle English, from Old English sweord.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.