A hilt is the part of a weapon like a knife or sword that you hold. It often has a guard to protect the hand. People use the word mainly for swords and knives.
He held the sword by its hilt.
The knight's hilt was made of silver.
Hilt can mean all the parts of the sword handle — the guard, grip, and the pommel. This word is often used by people who study or talk about old weapons.
The sword's hilt was finely decorated.
He tightened the hilt before the fight.
In some contexts, hilt means having full control or power in a situation. It is like holding the handle tightly to win or be in charge.
The team took the hilt in the last minutes.
She held the hilt of the negotiation well.
Hilt is an old or regional word sometimes used to mean the handle of any tool or weapon, not just swords. It is not common in modern English.
The axe hilt was carved from oak wood.
He fixed the broken hilt of his old knife.
As a very rare verb, to hilt means to hold or grasp by the hilt (handle). It is mostly found in old or poetic language, not used today in everyday speech.
He hilted his sword before the battle.
They hilted the tools to avoid dropping them.
