The Collaborative International Dictionary
Battle-ax \Bat"tle-ax`\ Battle-axe \Bat"tle-axe`\(-[a^]ks`), n. (Mil.) A kind of broadax formerly used as an offensive weapon.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (alternative spelling of battle axe English) 2 (context informal often pejorative usually with "old") A domineering and antagonistic woman.
WordNet
n. a broadax used as a weapon [syn: battle-axe]
a sharp-tongued domineering wife [syn: battle-axe]
Usage examples of "battle-ax".
Where other dwarves charged with pickaxes, battle-axes, warhammers, and swords held high, Gutbusters just charged.
Aliisza knew that with her magic the scalelike ridges protruding from atop those foreheads were no threat to her, but still the creatures seemed uncertain of who she was, for they kept their battle-axes crossed before the opening as she approached.
Instead he led the way to the door of the sterncastle, A few smart blows with a battle-ax drove it off its hinges, and Blade stepped into the musty gloom of the after cabins.
Tine, if dusty and travel-stained, clothing and effects of their charges with unconcealed avarice, all the while fingering the well-honed blades of their battle-axes or hefting the short-hafted weapons where they lay, ready to hand, across their saddle pommels, sniggering and exchanging glances and terse comments in Umbrian or some such uncultured dialect.
She was young, sweet, and looked more approachable than the battle-axes manning the inner offices.
Heavy battle-axes and maces cut through Flemish helmets with a noise “as loud as all the armorers of Paris and Brussels working together.
In no time at all he had a vision of Lithquil, the Mad Duke of Ool Hrusp, watching from high balcony by torchlight three northern berserks wielding saw-edged scimitars joined in mortal combat with four transparent-fleshed, pink-skeletoned ghouls armed with poniards and battle-axes.
It was all of gray stone and decorated with displays of broadaxes, battle-axes and headsmen's axes.
On the walls, over the doors, on the ceiling, were swords, daggers, Malay creeses, maces, battle-axes.
There were two closed cupboards, a writing desk with stool, many scrolls in silver containers that looked suspiciously like thimbles from the human world, crossed swords and a battle-ax fixed to the dingy walls, and a fireplace in which a single giant coal glowed redly through its coat of white ash.
Some wielded broad double-edged swords three feet in length, while others preferred the big battle-ax.