hand ax

noun

1

: a short-handled ax intended for use with one hand

2

: a prehistoric stone tool having one end pointed for cutting and the other end rounded for holding in the hand

Examples of hand ax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An iconic example of this is the hand ax, which is a core that’s been flaked into a teardrop shape. — John K. Murray, The Conversation, 7 May 2025

Witten has lent the hand ax to the Worthing Museum, where it will be displayed until February. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

The Neanderthal tools found at the site include a hand ax and small flint tools known as scrapers. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 21 Dec. 2021

Archaeological scientist Ellery Frahm holds an obsidian hand ax unearthed in Armenia. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hand ax

• attacks
• backpacks
• beeswax
• borax
• callbacks
• carfax
• climax
• cutbacks
• drawbacks
• feedbacks
• flashbacks
• greenbacks