battle-ax

or bat·tle-axe

[ bat-l-aks ]
See synonyms for battle-ax on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war.

  2. Slang. a domineering, aggressive, sharp-tempered person, especially a woman.

Origin of battle-ax

1
1350–1400; Middle English batelax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use battle-ax in a sentence

  • Queen Victoria had the reputation of being a humorless, dour battleaxe, a Terminator in bombazine.

    The Cult of Royal Porn | Tim Teeman | April 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • He was unequalled with javelin or dart, with battleaxe or mace, and he became the most famous archer of his day.

    Indian Myth and Legend | Donald Alexander Mackenzie
  • The Count took his stand against a post, and, armed with a battleaxe, defended himself with great bravery.

    Four Arthurian Romances | Chretien DeTroyes
  • With sword and battleaxe I can, I trust, hold my own with any man; but my brain is dull when it comes to hatching schemes.

  • Naram Sin is armed with battleaxe and bow, and his helmet is decorated with horns.

    Myths of Babylonia and Assyria | Donald A. Mackenzie