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]WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
hilt n 1: the handle of a sword or dagger