sickle

n. agricultural tool consisting of a curved blade attached to a short handle (used to cut grass, wheat, etc.)

A sickle is a curved, hand-held agricultural tool typically used for harvesting grain crop. The inside of the curve is sharp, so that the user can swing the blade against the base of the crop, catching it in the curve and slicing it at the same time. It is sometimes referred to as a 'grasshook'. A similar tool is the bagging hook which was larger and stronger. Both tools were in turn superseded by the scythe, and later version were more developed tool for reaping by adding a cradle just above the blade. The most noticeable difference between a sickle and the scythe is the size and shape of the blade - a Scythe blade is more linear whereas a sickle blade is more in the shape of a C with a point at the top, and the handle. The short handled sickle was used in a stooping position (terrible for backache) whereas the scythe was used in an upright standing position.
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Noun
1. an edge tool for cutting grass or crops; has a curved blade and a short handle
(synonym) reaping hook, reap hook
(hypernym) edge tool
(part-meronym) haft, helve

(n.)
A reaping instrument consisting of a steel blade curved into the form of a hook, and having a handle fitted on a tang. The sickle has one side of the blade notched, so as always to sharpen with a serrated edge. Cf. Reaping hook, under Reap.
  

(n.)
A group of stars in the constellation Leo. See Illust. of Leo.
  

of the Egyptians resembled that in modern use. The ears of corn were cut with it near the top of the straw. There was also a sickle used for warlike purposes, more correctly, however, called a pruning-hook (Deut. 16:9; Jer. 50:16, marg., "scythe;" Joel 3:13; Mark 4:29).