poleax — or poleaxe [pōl′aks΄] n. pl. poleaxes [altered (infl. by POLE2) < ME pollax < pol, POLL + ax, AX1] 1. a long handled battle ax 2. any ax with a spike, hook, or hammer opposite the blade … English World dictionary
Poleax — Pole ax , Poleaxe Pole axe , n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See {Poll} head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; used by soldiers, and also by… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
poleax — (n.) kind of axe used as a weapon or by butchers, c.1300, pollax, from pol head (see POLL (Cf. poll) (n.)) + AX (Cf. ax). From notion of either beheading or head splitting. Spelling altered 17c. by confusion with POLE (Cf. pole) (1)) … Etymology dictionary
poleax — I noun 1. an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the blade • Syn: ↑poleaxe • Derivationally related forms: ↑poleaxe (for: ↑poleaxe) • Hypernyms: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
poleax — I. noun Etymology: Middle English polax, pollax, from pol, polle poll + ax Date: 14th century 1. a battle ax with a short handle and often a hook or spike opposite the blade; also one with a long handle used as an ornamental weapon 2. an ax used… … New Collegiate Dictionary
poleax — n. battleaxe, heavy axe with a broad edge used in the past as offensive weapon; axe having a hammer opposite the cutting edge used to slaughter animals v. kill with a poleax; knock down with a poleaxe; shock very much … English contemporary dictionary
poleax — pole•ax [[t]ˈpoʊlˌæks[/t]] n. pl. ax•es [[t] ˌæk sɪz[/t]] v. 1) a medieval shafted weapon with blade combining ax, hammer, and apical spike, used for fighting on foot 2) to strike down or kill with or as if with a poleax • Etymology: 1300–50; ME… … From formal English to slang
poleax — pole·ax … English syllables
Poleaxe — Poleax Pole ax , Poleaxe Pole axe , n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See {Poll} head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; used by soldiers, and… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Weaponry — During the WARS OF THE ROSES, English MEN AT ARMS carried various types of weapons into battle, including thrusting and stabbing implements, such as swords and daggers, and powerful battering weapons, such as maces and poleaxes. For close… … Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses
