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Glite Dictionary
breakaxe

breakaxe

9.9
A tall West Indian tree with very hard wood used to make strong, long-lasting tools and furniture
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : breakaxe
  • The wood from the breakaxe is prized for making durable tools and furniture.

Examples

  • We saw a towering breakaxe tree in the rainforest while hiking.

  • The breakaxe tree can grow up to 100 feet tall.

  • Local carpenters prefer breakaxe because of its resistance to splitting.

  • Many craftsmen prefer using breakaxe wood for furniture.

  • Local carpenters prefer breakaxe because of its very hard wood.

  • The wood from the breakaxe is prized for making durable tools and furniture.

  • Many craftsmen prefer using breakaxe wood for furniture.

Synonyms

Sloanea jamaicensis
vsbreakaxe
  • Specialized
9.9

A Caribbean tree whose very hard wood people use for building

is the broader common name, not the scientific species label
break-axe
vsbreakaxe
  • UK
9.9

A tree from the West Indies with very hard wood used for building

describes the wood as very hard rather than extremely so
breakax
vsbreakaxe
  • UK
9.9

A large tree from the Caribbean with very hard wood

uses very hard wood description rather than saying exceptional hardness

Surface Forms

breakaxe singular
breakaxes plural

Morphology

breakaxe = break + axe (transparent) = break + axe

The compound literally reads as 'break' + 'axe' and readily suggests a tree with wood hard enough to break axes, which a learner can infer from the parts.

Etymology

The word breakaxe likely comes from the English parts break and axe, suggesting wood so hard it could 'break an axe'. That's why this West Indian tree is known for very hard, durable timber.