battle-ax

noun

bat·tle-ax ˈba-tᵊl-ˌaks

variants or battle-axe

: a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war

: a usually older woman who is sharp-tongued, domineering, or combative

the veteran stage actress stole every scene with a tour de force performance as the dysfunctional family's battle-ax matriarch

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of battle-ax was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Style

“Battle-ax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battle-ax. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

battle-ax

noun

bat·tle-ax

variants or battle-axe

ˈbat-ᵊl-ˌaks

: an ax with a broad blade formerly used as a weapon

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