ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blade

n. · v.
US //ˈbɫeɪd// UK //blˈeɪd// blade
  1. 1 cutting part of a tool (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the flat, sharp part of a knife, tool, or weapon that does the cutting.

    the sharp-edged functional component of a cutting instrument or weapon.

    Example

    The chef sharpened the blade of his knife before starting to chop the vegetables.

    Example

    The forensic team examined the serrated blade for any microscopic traces of organic material that might link it to the crime scene.
  2. 2 a piece of grass (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Botany

    a single, thin leaf of grass.

    the narrow, elongated leaf of a graminaceous plant.

    Example

    The morning dew sat on every single blade of grass in the garden.

    Example

    The drought had been so severe that not a single green blade remained in the once-lush meadow.
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  1. 3 flat part of a propeller or oar (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the wide, flat part of an object that pushes against air or water, like on a fan or a boat's oar.

    the broad, flat surface of a propeller, oar, or turbine designed to provide traction or propulsion.

    Example

    One blade of the ceiling fan was slightly bent, causing it to wobble.

    Example

    The rower dipped the blade into the water with perfect timing, ensuring maximum power for the final sprint.
  2. 4 shoulder bone (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    the large, flat bone in your upper back.

    the scapula; a flat, triangular bone located in the upper posterior thorax.

    Example

    He felt a sharp pain near his right shoulder blade after lifting the heavy box.

    Example

    The physical therapist noted significant tension in the muscles surrounding the patient's left shoulder blade.
    • scapula
  3. 5 ice skate edge (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    the metal part on the bottom of an ice skate.

    the runner of an ice skate, typically made of tempered steel.

    Example

    She checked her blades to make sure they were sharp enough for the competition.

    Example

    The figure skater felt the blade bite into the ice as she prepared for the triple axel.
  4. 6 dashing young man (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    a confident, stylish, and perhaps slightly wild young man.

    a dashing, jaunty, or rakish young man; often implies a certain social confidence or bravado.

    Example

    In the old novel, he was described as a young blade about town.

    Example

    The protagonist was a bit of a blade in his youth, spending his inheritance on fine horses and late-night revelry.
  5. 7 prosthetic limb (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Medicine

    a curved artificial leg used by runners who have lost a limb.

    a carbon-fibre prosthetic lower limb designed specifically for high-performance athletics.

    Example

    The sprinter adjusted his running blade before stepping onto the track.

    Example

    Advances in materials science have allowed for blades that mimic the energy return of a human ankle with remarkable efficiency.
  6. 8 to inline skate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Sport

    to move around using rollerblades.

    to travel or exercise using inline skates.

    Example

    We decided to blade along the beach path while the sun was setting.

    Example

    They spent the afternoon blading through the park, navigating the paved trails with ease.
Origin

From Middle English blade, blad, from Old English blæd (“leaf”), from Proto-West Germanic blad, from Proto-Germanic bladą, from Proto-Indo-European bʰl̥h₃-o-to-m, from bʰleh₃- (“to thrive, bloom”). See also West Frisian bled, Dutch blad, German Blatt, Danish blad, Irish bláth (“flower”), Welsh blodyn (“flower”), Tocharian A pält, Tocharian B pilta (“leaf”), Albanian fletë (“leaf”). Similar usage in German Sägeblatt (“saw blade”, literally “saw leaf”). Doublet of blat. More at blow.

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