ENGLISH
REFERENCE

katana

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˌkɑˈtɑˌnɑ// katana

n. a long, curved sword from Japan that is famous for being used by samurai. It is usually made of high-quality steel and has a very sharp edge.

n. a long, curved Japanese sword traditionally used by the samurai class. Characterised by a single-edged blade with a distinctive curvature and a tsuba (hand guard).


SIMPLE

The museum displays a beautiful katana from the Edo period.

CONTEXTUAL

The martial arts instructor explained that the katana requires years of practice to master the balance and timing of the swing.

COMPLEX

While the katana is often depicted as a weapon of war, it was also a symbol of the samurai's status and a tool for ritual ceremonies.

Origin

Borrowed from Japanese 刀(かたな) (katana).

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