ichidan verb
cut down an enemy
Literary or historical term for striking down an opponent with a blade, especially in combat or samurai contexts. Not used in modern everyday speech.
侍は一太刀で敵を切り据えた。
The samurai cut down his enemy with a single stroke.
Common modern verb for cutting or slashing, often with a sword. 切り据える is more specific to cutting down an enemy in a literary or historical style.
Compound of 切り (cutting) and 据える (to set, place). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the combination conveys a decisive cutting-down action.