claymore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical / Military / Technical
Quick answer
What does “claymore” mean?
A large, double-edged broadsword historically used by Scottish Highlanders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, double-edged broadsword historically used by Scottish Highlanders.
1. A type of anti-personnel mine which scatters metal fragments over a wide area. 2. Can refer generally to any large, heavy sword, especially in fantasy or historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is dictated by context (military, history, gaming) rather than dialect.
Connotations
Primarily evokes Scottish history or modern warfare. In pop culture (gaming, fantasy), it connotes a powerful, heavy weapon.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing in specialised domains.
Grammar
How to Use “claymore” in a Sentence
[Subject] planted a claymore (in/on [Location])[Subject] wielded a claymoreThe [claymore] was detonatedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “claymore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not standard.
American English
- Not standard.
adverb
British English
- Not standard.
American English
- Not standard.
adjective
British English
- The Claymore mine is a standard-issue weapon.
- He has a collection of claymore swords.
American English
- A Claymore anti-personnel device was found.
- The claymore design originated in Scotland.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, military studies, and archaeology papers.
Everyday
Rare. Possibly encountered in historical fiction, films, or news reports about warfare.
Technical
Precise term in military manuals (for the mine) and in historical weapon classifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “claymore”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “claymore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “claymore”
- Misspelling as 'claymour' or 'claymoar'.
- Confusing the historical sword with other types of greatswords like the German 'Zweihänder'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He claymored the enemy' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it originates from the Scottish Gaelic 'claidheamh mòr', meaning 'great sword'. Its modern military usage was coined by the US military.
No, it is strictly a noun. You cannot 'claymore' something.
Only by name, chosen for the mine's wide, scattering effect, which was metaphorically likened to the sword's sweeping strike. There is no technical lineage.
It is pronounced KLAY-mor. The stress is always on the first syllable.
A large, double-edged broadsword historically used by Scottish Highlanders.
Claymore is usually historical / military / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To face a claymore's blast”
- “Like swinging a claymore at a fly (implying clumsy overkill)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CLAY' might be hard as a rock, but a 'CLAYMORE' is for MORE than just digging – it's for serious cutting or blasting.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WIDE, SWEEPING FORCE OF DESTRUCTION. (e.g., 'Her argument was a claymore, taking down all opposing views at once.').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Claymore' in modern military terminology?