poleax Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the blade
    poleaxe.
  2. noun a battle ax used in the Middle Ages; a long handled ax and a pick
    poleaxe.
  3. verb fell with or as if with a poleax
    poleaxe.

WordNet

Pole"ax`, Pole"axe` noun (Also<
  • Poleax
  • Poleaxe
)
Etymology
OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See Poll head, and Ax.
Definitions
  1. Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.

Webster 1913