battle-ax
Definition
- Noun:
- A sharp-tongued, domineering wife: A colloquial and often offensive term for a woman, especially a wife, perceived as overbearing, nagging, or ill-tempered.
- A broadax used as a weapon: A large, heavy ax with a broad blade, historically used as a weapon in warfare.
Usage Examples
Noun (Person):
- In the old comedy, the main character was constantly nagged by his battle-ax of a wife.
- The stereotype of the battle-ax is considered outdated and sexist.
Noun (Weapon):
- The medieval warrior wielded a heavy battle-ax.
- The museum's collection includes a Viking battle-ax from the 10th century.
Advanced Usage
- The term "battle-ax" (referring to a person) is highly pejorative and reflects negative gender stereotypes. Its use is generally discouraged in modern, respectful discourse.
- When referring to the weapon, the term is neutral and descriptive.
Variants and Related Words
- Battle-axe: An alternative, chiefly British English spelling for both meanings.
- Broadax: A direct synonym for the weapon sense, referring to an ax with a wide blade.
Synonyms
- For the person (derogatory): Shrew, termagant, harridan, virago.
- For the weapon: Broadax, poleax.
Related Idioms
- To bring a battle-ax to a gunfight: A humorous variation of "bring a knife to a gunfight," meaning to be woefully underprepared or to use outdated methods for a modern challenge. (This idiom uses the weapon sense metaphorically).
Noun
-
a sharp-tongued domineering wife
-
a broadax used as a weapon
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