axe

British  

/ æks /

noun

1. a hand tool with one side of its head forged and sharpened to a cutting edge, used for felling trees, splitting timber, etc See also hatchet

2. 1. an ulterior motive

   2. a grievance

   3. a pet subject

3. informal

   1. dismissal, esp from employment; the sack (esp in the phrase get the axe )

   2. severe cutting down of expenditure, esp the removal of unprofitable sections of a public service

4. slang any musical instrument, esp a guitar or horn

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verb

1. to chop or trim with an axe

2. informal to dismiss (employees), restrict (expenditure or services), or terminate (a project)

Etymology

Origin of axe

Old English æx; related to Old Frisian axa, Old High German acchus, Old Norse öx, Latin ascia, Greek axinē

Example Sentences

Forest are yet to officially announce the Portuguese's appointment, but he is set to return for another spell in English football, having been axed by Wolves in November after 11 months in charge.

From BBC

When his appointment is confirmed, the former Croatia defender will be tasked with cleaning up the mess left by Frank, who was axed on Wednesday after a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle 24 hours earlier.

From Barron's

The TV clip the Journal mentions features individuals with little understanding of our organization and an axe to grind.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over by a large fireplace was an axe with threads of bronze etched around the handle.

From Literature

Using a soup ladle attached to an ice axe, Swanson reached out, straining to touch the ground as the helicopter lowered nearer and nearer the summit.

From Literature

Related Words

• consume
• crush
• damage
• dismantle
• end
• eradicate
• gut
• impair
• kill
• maim
• ravage
• raze
• ruin
• sabotage
• shatter
• smash
• smash-up
• wipe out
• wreck