(a) An edged tool, an ax; ?also, an adze; boching ~, ?a broaching ax; chip ~, a small ax for shaping timbers, a chipping ax; mason ~, a mason's ax or adze; (b) a battle ax; carlele ~, Carlisle ax; Denes ~, a Danish ax; Devonish ~, a Devonshire ax; ~ of (for) werre; wi-ax(e, cp. wi, n.; (c) an executioner's ax.

(a) In compounds and phrases: ~ hed, axhead; ~ helve, ax handle; ~ lengthe, distance equal to the length of an ax; ~ smith, a maker or repairer of axes; (b) in proverbial expressions: holden the ~ bi the helve, to be in control of a situation; be well off; hongen up the ~, to cease from activity, stop trying, give up; putten the ~ in the helve, to solve a problem, find the right answer; the ~ is at the rote, etc., the day of reckoning has come.