Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
white weapons/arms
English answer:
cold weapons
Added to glossary by
Arabic & More
Dec 30, 2010 14:02
13 yrs ago
23 viewers *
English term
Jordan
Professional Writer and Translator
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: Arabic to English, English to Arabic, English
white weapons/arms
English
Other
Military / Defense
"The soldiers were trained in the use of white weapons/arms."
I was wondering if anyone would know how to express the phrase "white weapons" in proper English.
According to Wikipedia, it is "a common Arabic term for any non-firearm type weapon used for self-defense or killing including swords, daggers, sticks, and batons among others."
If I am correct, I believe that some other languages (including Spanish) also use the term "white weapons."
The Arabic-English dictionary I have defines them as "cold steel weapons."
On Wikipedia, I have also found entries for "cold weapons" and "melee weapons," but I don't know which term conveys the proper meaning.
If possible, I am searching for a common English term that most people would understand without having to resort to a dictionary.
Thank you in advance for your help.
I was wondering if anyone would know how to express the phrase "white weapons" in proper English.
According to Wikipedia, it is "a common Arabic term for any non-firearm type weapon used for self-defense or killing including swords, daggers, sticks, and batons among others."
If I am correct, I believe that some other languages (including Spanish) also use the term "white weapons."
The Arabic-English dictionary I have defines them as "cold steel weapons."
On Wikipedia, I have also found entries for "cold weapons" and "melee weapons," but I don't know which term conveys the proper meaning.
If possible, I am searching for a common English term that most people would understand without having to resort to a dictionary.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Responses
| 3 +6 | cold weapons |
BrigitteHilgner
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| 3 +1 | cutting weapons |
Clauwolf
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| 4 | blades / swords and knives |
David Russi
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| 3 | close combat weapons |
jccantrell
|
Responses
+6
35 mins
BrigitteHilgner
Austria
Austria
Austria
b2b/economics/marketing/market research/
Native in: German 
Works in: German to English, French to German, English to German
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
cold weapons
If you google "cold weapons" you'll find quite a few interesting articles. In older English history books you sometimes find the French term "armes blanches" instead of "cold weapons".
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Kim Metzger
: If the asker is looking for the opposite of firearm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_weapon
5 mins
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Thank you, Kim. I got the impression that the asker is looking for just that - edged weapons and blunt weapons (incl. clubs).
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| agree |
Tony M
: Certainly not an expression that was familiar to me, but makes perfect sense, and I think most people would get the idea.
1 hr
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Thank you, Tony. I'm fascinated by historical subjects and love researching such questions. All the best for the New Year 2011!
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| agree |
P.L.F. Persio
: Make love, not war. Peace and a Happy New Year!
2 hrs
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Thank you, Missdutch. I fully agree and I'd rather not use any weapons. Happy New Year to you, too!
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| agree |
Stephanie Ezrol
14 hrs
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Danke schön, Stephanie, und ein gutes neues Jahr 2011!
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| agree |
Alison Sabedoria (X)
: I agree that technically it could well include things other than blades, especially "Le gigot" (Roald Dahl). =) A 1m long "ice dagger" fell from above my door recently, narrowly missing a visiting gendarme! A good and peaceful New Year to you too!
19 hrs
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Thank you, Wordeffect. I'm afraid I haven't read anything by Roald Dahl, but I assume the "gigot" is deep-frozen? There's a story (Agatha Christie?) about a dagger made of ice (alas, the evidence did not completely melt away) ... Have a peaceful New Year!
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| agree |
Phong Le
1 day 23 hrs
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Thank you, Phong Le. Happy New Year!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you to all who helped out with this term. "
+1
25 mins
cutting weapons
:) Brazilian Portuguese, arma branca (cutting and thrusting weapon, cutting and thrusting weapons, steel). Additional references: Brazilian Portuguese, ...
www.websters-online-dictionary.org/dictionary.asp?...cuttin... - Em cache
www.websters-online-dictionary.org/dictionary.asp?...cuttin... - Em cache
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Kim Metzger
: What about clubs and sticks?
11 mins
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OK, but they should be sharpened before using:)
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| agree |
Caryl Swift
3188 days
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thanks
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1 hr
David Russi
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
30+ years, stopped counting...
Native in: English , Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
blades / swords and knives
In Spanish "armas blancas" refers to knives and swords, the definition of the Diccionario de la Real Academia is "offensive [weapons] having iron or steel blades, such as swords."
The same term is used with the same meaning in Italian, I would say that the best option is "blades".
Websters:
blade
3 : an object or part of an object resembling a blade of grass: as a : the cutting part of an instrument *the blade of a sword* *well-set saw blades* b : an edged instrument: as (1) : SWORD (2)
The same term is used with the same meaning in Italian, I would say that the best option is "blades".
Websters:
blade
3 : an object or part of an object resembling a blade of grass: as a : the cutting part of an instrument *the blade of a sword* *well-set saw blades* b : an edged instrument: as (1) : SWORD (2)
1 hr
jccantrell
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
Was nicht ist, kann noch werden.
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: German to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
close combat weapons
Well, I am more a lover than a fighter, but I think that this would be understood by most Americans. While a pistol might fall into this category, it would mostly cover knives, swords, sticks and rocks.
My thought from the USA.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2010-12-30 16:46:11 GMT)
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In view of Kim's comment, I think you probably have to go with what Wiki says: non-firearm weapons.
There are several references on Google to this topic and they also talk about Tasers and pepper spray.
My thought from the USA.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2010-12-30 16:46:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
In view of Kim's comment, I think you probably have to go with what Wiki says: non-firearm weapons.
There are several references on Google to this topic and they also talk about Tasers and pepper spray.
Discussion
http://www.websters-dictionary-online.org/definitions/Cold S...