Dictionary
ax
1ax
noun \ˈaks\
: a tool that has a heavy metal blade and a long handle and that is used for chopping wood
Full Definition of AX
1
:Â a cutting tool that consists of a heavy edged head fixed to a handle with the edge parallel to the handle and that is used especially for felling trees and chopping and splitting wood
2
:Â a hammer with a sharp edge for dressing or spalling stone
3
: abrupt removal (as from employment or from a budget) —sometimes used in the phrase get the ax
4
:Â a musical instrument (as a guitar or a saxophone)
— ax to grind
:Â an ulterior often selfish underlying purpose <claims that he has no ax to grind in criticizing the proposed law>
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Variants of AX
ax or axe \ˈaks\
Examples of AX
- <the company was hemorrhaging money, so 700 employees would soon be given the ax>
Origin of AX
Middle English, from Old English æcs; akin to Old High German ackus ax, Latin ascia, Greek axinē
First Known Use: before 12th century
2ax
verb
: to cut or remove (something)
: to fire (someone)
axedax·ing
Full Definition of AX
transitive verb
1
a :Â to shape, dress, or trim with an ax b :Â to chop, split, or sever with an ax
2
:Â to remove abruptly (as from employment or from a budget)
See ax defined for English-language learners
Variants of AX
ax or axe
Examples of AX
- The boss told him that he had been axed.
- <the boss will ax anyone who leaks company secrets>
First Known Use of AX
1677
3ax
abbreviation
Definition of AX
1
axiom
2
axis
Other Logic Terms
Ax
biographical name \ˈaks\
Definition of AX
Emanuel 1949–     Am. (Ukrainian-born of Polish parents) pianist
ax
abbreviation (Medical Dictionary)
Medical Definition of AX
axis
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