poleaxe

Meaning

Noun

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

Verb

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

Synonyms

poleax

ax

axe

🪓

broadax

broadaxe

Translations

alabarda

strijdbijl

macete de matadouro

tumbar

cortar con alabarda

hacha de petos

Etymology

From earlier pollax, from poll (“head”) + axe, with the spelling influenced by pole.