Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural bil·boes. Archaic.
- a finely tempered sword.
pl n
- a long iron bar with two sliding shackles, formerly used to confine the ankles of a prisoner
noun plural -bos or -boes
- (formerly) a sword with a marked temper and elasticity
kind of sword noted for temper and elasticity, 1590s, from Bilbao, town in northern Spain where swords were made, in English Bilboa. The town name is Roman Bellum Vadum “beautiful ford” (over the Nervion River).