noun
1.
the handle of a sword or dagger.
2.
the handle of any weapon or tool.
verb (used with object)
Idioms 3.
to furnish with a hilt.
4.
to the hilt, to the maximum extent or degree; completely; fully: to play the role to the hilt. Also, up to the hilt.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English, Old English hilt(e); cognate with Middle Dutch hilt(e), Old Norse hjalt, Old High German helza handle of a sword
before 900; Middle English, Old English hilt(e); cognate with Middle Dutch hilt(e), Old Norse hjalt, Old High German helza handle of a sword
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To hilt
Collins
World English Dictionary
hilt (hɪlt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the handle or shaft of a sword, dagger, etc |
| 2. | to the hilt to the full |
| —vb | |
| 3. | (tr) to supply with a hilt |
| [Old English; related to Old Norse hjalt, Old Saxon helta oar handle, Old High German helza] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Hilt
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is yaff. Does it mean:
| to bark; yelp. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
hilt
O.E. hilt, from P.Gmc. *kheltiz (cf. O.N. hjalt, O.H.G. helza "hilt," O.S. helta "oar handle"), of uncertain origin. Formerly also used in pl. in same sense as singular.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
In order to work the dagger, you press a red jewel on the hilt, which suspiciously resembles a button on a game controller.
Farmers mortgaged their plantations to the hilt, so that they could replant and begin farming again.
The parks are decorated to the hilt and special concerts and events are included in the admission fee.
They operated out of the trunks of their beat-up cars with the back seats also piled to the hilt with merchandise.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
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