noun
Uncommon
kris
Kris (noun) means a traditional dagger or short sword from Southeast Asia, often recognizable by its wavy, flame-like blade. Example: “The museum displayed an ornately carved kris from the Malay Peninsula.”
noun
1
A traditional dagger or short sword from Southeast Asia, often recognizable by its wavy, flame-like blade.
"The museum displayed an ornately carved kris from the Malay Peninsula."
"His grandfather's kris had been passed down through three generations."
"The dancer's costume included a replica kris with a gently curving, wavy blade."
verb
1
To stab or kill someone using a kris.
"In the old story, the warrior krissed his rival in single combat."
How to use kris
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA distinctive wavy-bladed dagger traditionally used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Common pairings
a wavy kris blade
ceremonial kris
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Word forms
- Plural
- krises, krisses
- Third person singular
- kriss, krisses
- Past tense
- krised, krissed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum displayed an ornately carved _____ from the Malay Peninsula.
Etymology
Borrowed from Malay keris, and used in English since around the late 1500s.
Class of 1500
kris joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for kris
See all rhymes for kris →Frequently asked questions
What does “kris” mean?
The word “kris” means a traditional dagger or short sword from Southeast Asia, often recognizable by its wavy, flame-like blade. In plain terms, a distinctive wavy-bladed dagger traditionally used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
How do you use “kris” in a sentence?
Here is “kris” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed an ornately carved kris from the Malay Peninsula.”
What part of speech is “kris”?
Depending on how it is used, “kris” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “kris” come from?
The word “kris” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Malay. Borrowed from Malay keris, and used in English since around the late 1500s.
Is “kris” a common word?
“Kris” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kris” have?
“Kris” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional dagger or short sword from Southeast Asia, often recognizable by its wavy, flame-like blade.
What is the difference between a "kris" and a regular dagger?
A kris is distinguished from most daggers by its wavy, flame-like blade, whereas typical daggers and short swords have straight, even edges.
What does it mean to "kris" someone?
As a verb, to "kris" someone means to stab or kill them using a kris.
Where does the kris traditionally come from?
The kris is a traditional weapon associated with Southeast Asia.
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