ax Hear it!

ax1 definition

ax or axe (aks)

noun pl. axes ax′es

  1. a tool for chopping trees and splitting wood: it has a long wooden handle and a metal head with a blade usually on only one side
  2. any similar tool or weapon, as a battle-ax, headsman's ax, etc.
  3. ☆ Slang a musical instrument

Etymology: ME < OE eax, æx < IE base *agw(e)si > Goth aqizi, Gr axinē, L ascia

transitive verb axed, axing ax′·ing

  1. to trim, split, etc. with an ax
  2. to cut off, remove, get rid of, etc.
ax Idioms

get the ax

☆ Informal
  1. to be executed by beheading
  2. to be discharged from one's job

have an ax to grind

☆
Informal to have an object of one's own to gain or promote
ax2 definition

ax

  1. axiom
  2. axis

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook