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battle-axe

British  

noun

  1. (formerly) a large broad-headed axe

  2. informal an argumentative domineering woman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Versalles kept both hands on the bat as he ripped through pitches, emulating more of a battle-axe swing than a sword, a style that was more comparable to Gimli from “Lord of the Rings.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2023

During his set the singer also paid tribute to his auntie, Pat, who he described as a "battle-axe" before performing his hit, Before You Go which was written about her.

From BBC • May 29, 2023

I would never call her a battle-axe, but she was a tough cookie.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2019

Casting Robin Wright as Wonder Woman’s aunt, re-imagining the battle-axe as a battler, with an axe, is a feminist act.

From The Guardian • Jun. 5, 2017

The body was sewn into a cloak of the finest silk, decorated with a battle-axe sigil.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin