epee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “epee” mean?
A thrusting sword used in fencing, heavier than a foil, with a rigid blade and a larger guard.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thrusting sword used in fencing, heavier than a foil, with a rigid blade and a larger guard.
The sport of fencing with such a sword.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are consistent. The sport is equally established in both cultures.
Connotations
Associated with Olympic sport, historical dueling, and a specific subculture of competitive athletics.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard and common within the contexts of fencing and Olympic sports reporting.
Grammar
How to Use “epee” in a Sentence
[Subject] fences with an epee.[Subject] won the gold medal in (the) epee.She is an epee fencer.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “epee” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The epee final was held this afternoon.
- He is on the national epee squad.
American English
- She qualified for the epee event.
- They watched the epee competition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
In historical studies of dueling or sport science analyses of fencing biomechanics.
Everyday
Rare, unless discussing Olympic sports or personal involvement in fencing.
Technical
Core term in the sport of fencing, specifying equipment and competition rules distinct from foil and sabre.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “epee”
- Misspelling as 'epée' (correct but with accent) or 'epeé'. Mispronouncing the final sound as /iː/ instead of /eɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An epee is heavier, has a stiffer blade, and a larger guard. In epee, the entire body is the target, and there is no 'right of way' rule. The foil is lighter, has a flexible blade, and only the torso is the target, with priority rules governing simultaneous hits.
The vowel sounds are the same (/eɪ peɪ/), but British English tends toward first-syllable stress ('EP-ay'), while American English often uses even stress or final-syllable stress ('ay-PAY'). Both are accepted.
In English, the accent is often dropped, especially in sports journalism and common usage. Both 'epee' and 'épée' are considered correct, though the unaccented form is more frequent in everyday English contexts.
No. 'Epee' is strictly a noun. The verb is 'to fence (with the epee)', and a practitioner is an 'epee fencer' or 'epeeist'.
A thrusting sword used in fencing, heavier than a foil, with a rigid blade and a larger guard.
Epee is usually formal, technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A duel of epees (rare, historical).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two 'e's in epee as the points of the sword (épée) and the accent (from French) giving it a sharp, precise feel.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not commonly metaphorized. Literal weapon/sport term.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining characteristic of an epee?