E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fox.
An Old English broadsword.
1
A correspondent of Notes and Queries (May 2nd, 1891, p. 356) says: “The swords were manufactured by Julian del Rei of Toldo, whose trade-mark was a little dog, mistaken for a fox.” The usual derivation is the Latin falx, French fauchon, our falchion.
2
“O signieur Dew, thou diest on point of fox,
Except, O signieur, thou do give to me
Egregious ransom.”
Shakespeare: Henry V., iv. 4.
“I had a sword, ay, the flower of Smithfield for a sword, a right fox 1’ faith.”—Two Angry Women of Abington (1599).
A correspondent of Notes and Queries (May 2nd, 1891, p. 356) says: “The swords were manufactured by Julian del Rei of Tol
do, whose trade-mark was a little dog, mistaken for a fox.” The usual derivation is the Latin falx, French fauchon, our falchion.
