Definition of machete

< mache

Machiavelli, Niccolò >

ma·chet·e    (m-sht, -cht) KEY 

NOUN:

A large heavy knife with a broad blade, used as a weapon and an implement for cutting vegetation.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Spanish, diminutive of macho, sledge hammer, alteration of mazo, club, probably from maza, mallet, from Vulgar Latin *mattea, mace ; see mace¹