battle-axe
/'bætlæks/
Definition
- Noun:
- A broadax used as a weapon: A type of large axe with a wide blade, historically used as a weapon in warfare.
- A sharp-tongued, domineering wife: (Informal, often offensive) A woman, typically a wife, who is perceived as overbearing, aggressive, or nagging.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Weapon):
- The museum displayed a Viking battle-axe from the 10th century.
- In the historical reenactment, the warrior wielded a heavy battle-axe.
Noun (Person):
- In the old comedy, the husband was constantly nagged by his battle-axe of a wife.
- He jokingly referred to his strict boss as an old battle-axe.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in a historical or fantasy context when referring to the weapon.
- When referring to a person, the term is dated, informal, and considered derogatory and sexist. Its use is generally discouraged in modern, respectful discourse.
Variants and Related Words
- Battle-ax: An alternative spelling, especially in American English.
- Broadaxe (n): A type of axe with a broad blade, similar to a battle-axe but often associated with woodworking or as a tool.
- Harridan (n): A strict, bossy, or belligerent old woman (a synonym for the pejorative sense).
Synonyms
- For the weapon: Broadaxe, war axe, poleaxe.
- For the person (derogatory): Shrew, termagant, harridan, virago.
Related Idioms
- To wield a battle-axe: Can be used literally or figuratively to describe using harsh, aggressive methods or criticism.
- The manager wielded a verbal battle-axe during the staff meeting.
Noun
-
a broadax used as a weapon
-
a sharp-tongued domineering wife
