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Glite Dictionary
fireman's ax

fireman's ax

4.9
A long metal tool with a blade and pointed end that firefighters use to break doors
  • noun
  • /ˈfaɪərmənz æks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hacha de bombero
  • He trained with a fireman's ax to learn how to safely handle it in emergency situations.

Examples

  • The comic was a joke: sketches of a cop who fights dinosaurs with a fireman's ax, inspired by the imaginings of Nicolle's 5-year-old half-brother.

    Blog text (5)

  • The fireman's ax is an essential tool for firefighters when they need to cut through debris at the scene of a fire.

  • A cartoon officer in a navy shirt and aviator sunglasses, bearing a fireman's ax.

    Blog text (5)

  • During the emergency, the firefighter used his fireman's ax to break down the door and save the trapped occupants.

Synonyms

ax
vsfireman's ax
  • US
129 1.0

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

has a pointed tip and is designed for forced entry by rescuers
common ax
vsfireman's ax
  • US
1.9

A tool with a long handle and a head with one sharp edge and one blunt side for chopping wood

has a pointed tip and is made for breaking through barriers

Surface Forms

fireman's ax singular
fireman's axes plural
fireman’s axes plural
fireman’s ax singular

Morphology

fireman's + ax

The meaning 'a specialized ax used by firefighters' is directly and literally derivable from the constituents: 'fireman's' is a possessive form of 'fireman' (a firefighter) and 'ax' is the tool. The possessive + tool composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand this MWE.

Etymology

Fireman's ax comes from the heavy ax a fireman carries to break doors, walls, or roofs when people are trapped. The clear picture of a firefighter swinging the ax to free people explains why the name refers to a tool for 'breaking through barriers' in 'emergency situations'.