IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUne arme blanche
Meaning: A bladed weapon, as opposed to a firearm.
Literally: A white weapon
Example: “Selon les témoins, l'agresseur était armé d'une arme blanche.” — According to witnesses, the attacker was carrying a knife.
Origin: Blanc here means bare or unadorned polished steel, the same sense as in the older arme blanche for a drawn sword. The contrast is with arme à feu, the fire weapon.
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