n.
  - a weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard, used for thrusting or striking and often worn as part of ceremonial dress. 
▸
(the sword)
 literary military power; violence.
 - 
(swords)
 one of the suits in a tarot pack.
 
 
  Phrase
  
    - beat 
(or turn)
 swords into ploughshares
 devote resources to peaceful rather than warlike ends. 
[with biblical allusion to Is. 2:4 and Mic. 4:3.]
  - put to the sword
 kill, especially in war. 
   
  Etymology
  OE sw(e)ord, of Gmc origin.