axe or (N American) ax /aks/ noun (pl axˈes)- A tool for cutting or chopping, having its edge and handle in the same plane
- A pointed stone-dressing hammer (building)
- The ruthless cutting down of expenditure (figurative)
- Dismissal from one's job (with the; informal)
- A musical instrument, eg (in jazz) a saxophone or (esp in rock music) a guitar (slang)
transitive verb- To cut or strike with an axe
- To dismiss as superfluous (informal)
- To cut down, reduce (figurative)
- To dispense with (figurative)
ORIGIN: OE æx; cf Gr axīnē axeˈ-breaker noun (Aust) Any of several kinds of hard-wooded tree axeˈ-head noun axeˈman (US usu axˈman) noun - A man who carries or uses an axe
- A man who plays a guitar or (esp jazz) other musical instrument (slang)
- A ruthless cutter of costs (informal)
axeˈ-stone noun A kind of jade used for making axes axe to grind A personal reason for getting involved |