poleaxe

Meaning

Noun

1. An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
2. A long-handled battle axe, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.

Verb

1. To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
2. To astonish; to shock or surprise utterly.
3. To stymie, thwart, cripple, paralyze.

Synonyms

poleax

ax

axe

🪓

broadax

broadaxe

Etymology

Originally pollax, from poll (“head”) + axe.