hilt

noun

: a handle especially of a sword or dagger
Phrases
to the hilt
1
: to the very limit : completely
the farm was mortgaged to the hilt
2
: with nothing lacking
played the role to the hilt

Examples of hilt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Garvey, the former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman and National League most valuable player in 1974, has played the baseball card to the hilt, even passing out autographed horsehides at many campaign stops. Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024 Inside are a Patek Philippe Nautilus and two Rolex Day-Dates decked to the hilt in diamonds. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2024 Arjona understands exactly how irrepressible this movie should be and plays her part to the hilt. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2024 Apple essentially goaded Masimo into a legal fight, generated attention for itself and defended to the hilt a smartwatch feature that most people wouldn’t use regularly. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024 Americans, already armed to the hilt, rushed to buy more guns. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024 The last half near the hilt is squared off at 90 degrees and is perfect for striking a ferro rod. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 The weapon sports an octagonal bronze hilt that was cast over the blade, which few smiths were skilled enough to make at the time, according to Live Science’s Laura Geggel. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2023 The swords were first used at the coronation of King Charles I in 1626, and the steel blades date back to the sixteenth century, with early seventeenth century gilt-iron hilts. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hilt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German helza hilt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hilt was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hilt

Cite this Entry

“Hilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hilt. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hilt

noun
: a handle especially of a sword or dagger

More from Merriam-Webster on hilt

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