piolet

noun

pi·​o·​let
¦pēə¦lā
plural -s
: a two-headed ice ax used in mountaineering (as in Switzerland)

Word History

Etymology

French, from French dialect (Valais canton, Switzerland & Piedmont), diminutive of piola small ax, from (assumed) Middle French dialect, from Old Provençal, diminutive of apcha, abcha battle-ax, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hāppa sickle, pruning knife

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Dictionary Entries Near piolet

Cite this Entry

“Piolet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piolet. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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