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poleax

poleax

9.9
A heavy ax with a flat hammer used by butchers to kill cattle
  • noun
  • /ˈpoʊlˌæks/
  • Archaic
translation icon : hacha
  • The butcher used a poleax to humanely slaughter the cattle.

Examples

  • The old poleax on display at the museum showed signs of long use.

  • A poleax is a traditional tool for cattle farming.

  • He cleaned the poleax at the end of the workday to prevent rust.

  • The butcher used a poleax to slaughter the cow.

  • The butcher skillfully used a poleax to slaughter the cattle quickly and humanely.

  • In the past, a poleax was essential for farmers to manage their livestock effectively.

  • He displayed a vintage poleax in his collection, showcasing its role in traditional cattle farming.

Synonyms

ax
vspoleax
  • US
129 1.0

A tool with a heavy blade on a handle for chopping wood

has a flat striking face on the back and is for slaughtering cattle
hammer axe
vspoleax
  • Archaic
9.9

A weapon with a hammer head on one side and an axe blade on the other for fighting

is used to slaughter cattle and has a flat striking face on the back

How Heavy

maul
21 7.5
poleax
  • Archaic
9.9
cleaver
28 3.5
butcher knife
13 3.2

Surface Forms

poleax singular
poleaxes plural

Morphology

poleax = pole + axe (transparent) = pole + axe

The noun denotes a heavy ax mounted on a pole; the compound elements directly indicate the object.

Etymology

Poleax also names a heavy tool used by butchers, from pole 'long stick' + axe 'cutting tool', meaning a long-handled ax with a flat hammer for hard jobs like killing cattle.