pickaxe

Meaning

Noun

A heavy iron tool with a wooden handle; one end of the head is pointed, the other has a chisel edge.

Verb

To use a pickaxe.

Synonyms

pick

⛏️

pickax

mattock

hack

mandrel

pick-axe

ice axe

hatchet

pick axe

moyle

pike

shovel

piolet

gad picker

gurlet

pick mattock

steel pick head

mattock hoe

moil

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɪkˌæks/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: pykeaxe

In summary

Inherited from Middle English pykeaxe, pecaxe, pyke exe (“pickaxe”), an alteration (due to folk etymology association with pick and axe) of Middle English pikeyse, pikeys, pykois, from Anglo-Norman *pikeis, Old French picois, pecois, from Latin picōsa (“pickaxe”), from picca, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *pīk (“sharp point, pike”). Doublet of pique and pike.