Hypertext Webster Gateway: "poleaxe"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Poleax \Pole"ax`\, Poleaxe \Pole"axe`\, n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD.
pollexe. See {Poll} head, and Ax.]
Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an
ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously
patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in
boarding a vessel.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
poleaxe
n 1: an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the
blade [syn: {poleax}]
2: a battle ax used in the Middle Ages; a long handled ax and a
pick [syn: {poleax}]
v : fell with or as if with a poleax [syn: {poleax}]
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