'acinaces' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'acinaces', which was borrowed from Greek 'akinakēs', referring to a type of short sword.

'acinaces' was borrowed from Greek 'akinakēs', which referred to a type of short sword used by the Persians, and eventually became the modern English word 'acinaces'.

Initially, it referred specifically to a Persian short sword, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.