sharpened sword
A classical, poetic term for a finely sharpened sword, often evoking the image of a blade as clear and cold as autumn water. Rare in modern conversation; found in literature or historical contexts.
He quietly stood up, holding a sharpened sword in his hand.
名刀 is a general term for a famous or excellent sword, while 三尺の秋水 is a specific poetic epithet emphasizing sharpness and clarity.
From classical Chinese literature; 三尺 refers to the approximate length of a sword, and 秋水 (autumn water) metaphorically describes the blade's clarity and cold sharpness. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.