battle-axe

/'bætlæks/

Thân thiện

A warrior raises a battle-axe high above his head.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a broadax used as a weapon
2. a sharp-tongued domineering wife

Từ đồng nghĩa

• battle-ax