saber

Saber, or sabre, is a type of curved, single-edged sword that originated in the regions of Central Asia and the Middle East and became widely used by cavalry in the 18th and 19th centuries. The weapon is typically designed for slashing, with a slightly curved blade, a strong point, and a protective guard for the hand.

Blades vary by region: the Persian shamshir, the Turkish kilij, and the Indian talwar are well-known variants among others. Common features include a long, curved blade optimized for cutting rather than thrusting, with a guard to protect the hand, and often a fuller to reduce weight. The term sabre covers many light, curved swords that share this general design, despite regional differences in balance and edge geometry.

Sabres developed in the early modern period, quickly adopted by light cavalry and later by many infantry units. They played a central role in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian military traditions, with changes in metallurgy and fighting style influencing blade geometry and balance. In Europe, sabres were common in the 18th and 19th centuries, evolving into ceremonial swords in some armed forces; the emergence of firearms reduced outright melee roles, but the sabre remained symbolic and for training.

Today, sabres survive in sport fencing and some ceremonial contexts. In sport fencing, sabre is one of the three weapons; the blade is capable of both edge cuts and thrusts, and the allowable target area covers the upper body. Modern sabres are made to strict standards and use electronic scoring for hits.

Outside weaponry, the term saber appears in paleontology as saber-toothed animals, notably Smilodon, which earned their name from elongated upper canines. The word also appears in place names, brand names, and cultural references related to the sword.