Cut"lass (k?t"lass), n.; pl. Cutlasses (-Ez). [F. coutelas (cf. It. coltellaccio), augm. fr. L. cuttellus a smallknife, dim. of culter knife. See Colter, and cf. Curtal ax.]
A short, heavy, curving sword, used in the navy. See Curtal ax.
Cutlass fish, Zool., a peculiar, long, thin, marine fish (Trichirus lepturus) of the southern United States and West Indies; -- called also saber fish, silver eel, and, improperly, swordfish.
© Webster 1913.