Obs. [ad. It. spada or Sp. espada:—L. spatha, ad. Gr. σπάθη: see SPADE sb.1 and sb.2] A cut-and-thrust sword.
1711. E. Ward, Quix., I. 105. Drawing forth his Trusty Spado Which was a Rusty old Toledo.
1751. Narr. of H.M.S. ‘Wager,’ 9. Every Fellow has his Spado or Dagger that he struts about with.
1785. G. A. Bellamy, Apology (ed. 3), II. 9. The Spaniard … seemed glad to have an opportunity of laying by his long spado for some hours every day.
