hilt

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

hilt
    n 1: the handle of a sword or dagger

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Hilt \Hilt\, n. [AS. hilt, hilte; akin to OHG. helza, Prov. G.
   hilze, Icel. hjalt.]
   1. A handle; especially, the handle of a sword, dagger, or
      the like.
      [1913 Webster]