bladelet

noun

blade·​let ˈblād-lət 

plural bladelets

: a small blade

One of the unique finds at the site consists of two clay cattle figurines deposited in a shallow subfloor pit; each figurine had been pierced twice with flint bladelets in the ribs and chest, suggesting a ritual killing associated with magic or luck in the hunt.

—Gary O. Rollefson et al., Archaeology, November/December 1987

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!