Haft

n. [A-S. hāft, haft, hāftan, to take, seize, D. & N. H. Ger. heft, handle, O. H. Ger. hefti, M. H. Ger. hefte, Dan. & Sw. häfte, Icel. hefti, from M. H. Ger. haft, Goth. hafts, sticking to, allied to Lat. captus, p. p. of capere, to take, seize.] A handle; that part of an instrument or vessel taken into the hand, and by which it is held and used;—said chiefly of a knife, sword, or dagger; the hilt.