axe

Variant of ax

ax 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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axe - Guitar145 years ago

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