- saber (n.)
- "single-edged sword," 1670s, from French sabre "heavy, curved sword" (17c.), alteration of sable (1630s), from German Sabel, probably ultimately from Hung. szablya "saber," literally "tool to cut with," from szabni "to cut."
The Slavic words (cf. Russian sablya, Polish szabla "sword, saber") are perhaps also from German. Italian sciabla seems to be directly from Hungarian. Saber-rattling "militarism" is attested from 1922. Saber-toothed cat (originally tiger) is attested from 1849.