battle-ax

American  

[bat-l-aks] / ˈbæt lˌæks /

Or battle-axe

noun

1. a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war.

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

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Etymology

Origin of battle-ax

1350–1400; Middle English batelax

Explanation

A long-handled weapon with a heavy, sharp blade on one end is a battle-ax. Ancient Roman warriors sometimes carried battle-axes when they rode into combat. Battle-axes evolved from everyday axes used as tools: swinging a heavy blade turns out to be both an effective way to split logs and to fend off a charging enemy. The Vikings, Normans, ancient Chinese warriors, and Napoleonic troops all carried battle-axes. It was once fairly common to demean a forceful older woman by calling her a battle-ax, too. This American slang was inspired by temperance activist Carrie Nation and is now considered offensive and outdated.

Example Sentences

The patches depicting firearms violate the district’s “reference to weapons policy,” but the lawsuit argued that the standard is “unconstitutionally overbroad” and would ban, for example, the Colorado state seal’s depiction of a battle ax.

From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2023

"Gilded Age" also has a scheming ladies' maid and a few delicate housekeepers, a closeted gay character determined to better his position and a battle ax of a housekeeper.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2022

Maybe I should be the guy swinging the big battle ax or maybe a wizard.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2017

So he went back again to his exercising; and he learned to wield the sword and the battle ax and to throw tremendous weights and to carry tremendous burdens.

From Old Greek Stories by Baldwin, James

Against slavery he struck as with a battle ax.

From The Negro and the Nation A History of American Slavery and Enfranchisement by Merriam, George Spring