poleaxe

Alternative forms

• poleax, pole-axe, pollaxe, pollax, polax

Etymology

Originally pollax, from poll +‎ axe; see poll (“head”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æks

Noun

poleaxe (plural poleaxes)

1. An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
2. A long-handled battle-ax, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.

Verb

poleaxe (third-person singular simple present poleaxes, present participle poleaxing, simple past and past participle poleaxed)

1. (transitive) To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
2. (transitive) To astonish; to shock or surprise utterly.