Battle-ax
a broadax formerly used as a weapon of war.
Slang. a domineering, aggressive, sharp-tempered person, especially a woman.
Historical Examples
You go not in gleaming steel and fretted mail to meet the bite of blade and crash of battle-ax.
The Valiants of Virginia Hallie Erminie Rives
Besides the spear a sword or a battle-ax hung at the side of each.
Sir Nigel Arthur Conan Doyle
Another day he exercised the battle-ax, which he so dextrously wielded that he was passed knight of arms in the field.
The Best of the World’s Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)–Continental Europe I Various
In Bontoc the head weapon is a battle-ax, in Quiangan it is a long knife.
The Bontoc Igorot Albert Ernest Jenks
Given armor and a battle-ax, and nothing could have stood before him.
Dwellers in Arcady Albert Bigelow Paine
Its legs were severed from the body with the battle-ax and put in the pot.
The Bontoc Igorot Albert Ernest Jenks
As he said it, he swung his battle-ax and off popped the head of the dragon.
Modern Essays John Macy
Even when the lad raised his battle-ax the dragon made no move.
Modern Essays John Macy
The peace is sealed by some exchange, as of a battle-ax for a blanket, the people sued having the better part of the trade.
The Bontoc Igorot Albert Ernest Jenks
He looks as though ‘he would rush out with a battle-ax on his shoulder to meet a chariot.’
Japanese Fairy World William Elliot Griffis
noun
An ill-tempered woman, esp a mean old woman; virago (1890s+)
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