Dictionary

Bohemian earspoon en · NOUN

Etymology

The weapon originated in Bohemia, the two protruding stops or lugs at the base of the weapon's head were likened to ears, and the entire spearhead with ears was fancifully likened to an earspoon (“ear pick”).

Meanings

1. (historical) A polearm with a long, broad, socketed spearhead, with a guard of two outward-protruding "ears" at the base of the head, used for hunting and in combat.
   • Called originally 'kùsa-scythe' and later "sudlice," it doubled as both a stabbing and cutting weapon, developing later into the "ušata sudlice" — Bohemian earspoon, more suitable for combat — thanks to side spikes (ears), acting as end stops, [as a result of which] it did not penetrate too deep. 2016, Syed Ramsey, Tools of War: History of Weapons in Medieval Times, →ISBN:
   • Pole arms can be roughly divided into several categories, based on the types of heads they have mounted: Thrusting weapons (awl pike, boar spear, Bohemian earspoon, chauve souris, feather staff, fork, fourche a crochet, korseke, langue, … and runca) 2014, Carl Granberg, David Perry on Game Design: A Brainstorming Toolbox, page 755

Forms

Translations (2)

de Böhmischer Ohrlöffel (weapon) · cs ušatá sudlice (weapon)