pickax

American  

[pik-aks] / ˈpɪkˌæks /

Or pickaxe

noun

plural

pickaxes

1. a pick, especially a mattock.

---

verb (used with object)

pickaxed, pickaxing

1. to cut or clear away with a pickax.

verb (used without object)

pickaxed, pickaxing

1. to use a pickax.

Etymology

Origin of pickax

1275–1325; pick ² + ax; replacing Middle English picois < Middle French, Old French; akin to French pic pick ². See pique ¹

Example Sentences

Observing that there were but two Peaks where the Rock hinder'd our Passage, I took the Pickax and Mallet, and in less than two Hours demolish'd one of those Peaks.

From The Travels and Adventures of James Massey by Patot, Simon Tyssot de