battle-ax

or bat·tle-axe

[ bat-l-aks ]

/ ˈbæt lˌæks /

noun

a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war.

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

Words nearby battle-ax

battle plan, battle royal, battle star, battle station, battle wagon, battle-ax, battle-ax culture, battle-axe, battle-axe block, battle-scarred, battlebus

Origin of battle-ax

1350–1400; Middle English batelax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for battle-axe

At last, taking his battle-axe in both hands, he gave Colbrand such a blow that his sword dropped to the ground.
Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12)|Various
Smith received such a blow that he lost his battle-axe, whereat the Turks on the ramparts set up a great shout.
Captain John Smith|Charles Dudley Warner
One held his battle-axe firmly griped—the other shifted his from hand to hand.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. II of 2)|Thomas Hart Benton
Only once do we hear of a battle-axe of bronze; and the dirk, sometimes of iron, is never said to be used in battle.
The World of Homer|Andrew Lang

A man may protect himself with his sword and battle-axe, and need never stray.
Yolanda: Maid of Burgundy|Charles Major

British Dictionary definitions for battle-axe

battle-axe

noun

(formerly) a large broad-headed axe

informal an argumentative domineering woman

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

battle-ax

or bat·tle-axe

noun

Content related to battle-ax

Words nearby battle-ax

Origin of battle-ax

Examples from the Web for battle-axe

British Dictionary definitions for battle-axe

noun