battle-ax

Or bat·tle-axe

[bat-l-aks]

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of battle-ax¹

1350–1400; Middle English batelax

Example Sentences

Belet picked up a battle-ax while our audience, the cats, found suitable spots to watch the action.

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“Your ma should know how hard this is for you. That old battle-ax is ornery and spiteful to boot. Maybe waiting for her tea will teach her a lesson.”

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Sternly she bade the slave bring her a battle-ax.

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She looked beautiful, serene almost, not a look I normally associate with my battle-ax of a parent.

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"That battle-ax is a replica of one used by Robert the Bruce from Scotland. We're related on my mother's side."

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