Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PON-IARD, n. [pon'yard; Fr. poignard; It. pugnale; Sp. puñal; Port. punhal. There is an appearance of the formation of this word from the name of the fist, Fr. poing, Sp. puño, It. pugno, L. pugnus; but this is not obvious.]

A small dagger; a pointed instrument for stabbing, borne in the hand or at the girdle, or in the pocket. – Encyc.