palstave

[ pawl-steyv, pal- ]

noun

, Archaeology.

1. a bronze celt fitted into a split wooden handle.

palstave

/ ˈpɔːlˌsteɪv /

noun

1. archaeol a kind of celt, usually of bronze, made to fit into a split wooden handle rather than having a socket for the handle

Word History and Origins

Origin of palstave¹

1850–55; < Danish pålstav, special use of Old Norse pālstafr javelin < Old English palster spike, taken (by folk etymology) as representing *pālstæf; pole ¹, stave

Word History and Origins

Origin of palstave¹

C19: from Danish paalstav, from Old Norse, from páll spade + stafr staff ¹

Example Sentences

It is nothing else than the old Scandinavian "paalstaf," the "palstave" or "winged celt" of English antiquaries.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not always easy to discriminate unhesitatingly between the true axe-head and the palstave.

From Project Gutenberg

The flat axes are distinguished by the side stops and in some cases the transition from palstave to socketed axe can be seen.

From Project Gutenberg

The side flanges and palstave-form developed naturally from this.

From Project Gutenberg