broadax

or broad·axe

[ brawd-aks ]

noun

, plural broad·ax·es [brawd, -ak-siz].

1. an ax for hewing timber.
2. an ax with a broad head, used as a battle-ax.

Word History and Origins

Origin of broadax¹

before 1000; Middle English brodax, Old English brādæx. See broad, ax

Example Sentences

Since then, he’s completely restored it, taking it apart and rebuilding it from scratch, even hand-hewing the logs with a 200-year-old broadax.

From Seattle Times

For weeks at a time Harriet swung a broadax in the woods as part of Ben’s crew, cutting half a cord of wood a day just like a man.

From Literature

The broadax, or carpenter's ax, is an ax for hewing timber, made heavier than the chopping ax, and with a broader and thinner blade and a shorter handle.

From Project Gutenberg

He could build a good log house without a nail or any other article that would cost money, and with very few tools beside his ax and broadax.

From Project Gutenberg

While hewing with the broadax at one of the canoes, he had had the misfortune to slash his foot, so must lie in his bunk and watch the others.

From Project Gutenberg