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

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

Chapter III, 23 First and later periods of the Bronze Age; Evolution of the bronze celt; Ornamentation of bronze celts; Palstave with double loops; Anvil and hammers; Spear-heads; Evolution from the knife-dagger; Type derived from the rapier; Leaf-shaped spear-heads; Spear-heads with apertures in the blade; Moulds for casting spear-heads; Ferules for spear-butts.

From Project Gutenberg

Palstave with double loops, 27 22.

From Project Gutenberg