tomahawk

[tom-uh-hawk]

noun

1. a light ax used by the North American Indians as a weapon and tool.

2. any of various similar weapons or implements.

3. (in Australia) a stone hatchet used by Aboriginal peoples.

verb (used with object)

1. to attack, wound, or kill with or as if with a tomahawk.

tomahawk

/ ˈtɒməˌhɔːk /

noun

1. a fighting axe, with a stone or later an iron head, used by the North American Indians

2. the usual word for hatchet

Other Word Forms

• tomahawker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomahawk¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Virginia Algonquian ( English spelling) tamahaac “hatchet,” equivalent to Proto-Algonquian temah- “to cut (it) off” (unattested ) + -a·kan- “instrument for” (unattested)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomahawk¹

C17: from Virginia Algonquian tamahaac

Example Sentences

A copy of her post, which showed a tomahawk steak, red wine and a salad, was shared with the Eastern Daily Press.

From BBC

Force of Nature Venison Tomahawk Steak You’ve heard of a beef tomahawk.

From Salon

This is where the Chiefs’ deplorable tomahawk chop stops.

From Los Angeles Times

Police found weapons and equipment including a crossbow, 14 knives including some with Nazi and SS insignia, machetes, a tomahawk, a samurai sword, knuckledusters, a catapult, an extendable baton and a stun gun.

From BBC

Love had the exclamation point to the final home game revelry with a tomahawk dunk that put the Wildcats up 94-67.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• machete