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# axe

noun (an axe, axes; US also ax); verb (axe, axes, axed, axing)

«axe» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An axe is a tool with a heavy metal blade on a long handle, used for chopping wood or cutting down trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#m1)
2. (informal) To axe something is to cut it or end it suddenly: the TV show was axed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#m2)
3. (informal) To axe workers means to sack them or make them lose their jobs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#m3)
4. «Have an axe to grind» means to have a private reason, often a grudge, for doing or saying something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history lessons, stone axes, Viking battle-axes and Iron Age tools appear. In everyday safety: axes are sharp and heavy, only for adults. In news and everyday talk, «axed» means cancelled or cut: «the bus route was axed», «jobs axed». In stories, a woodcutter carries an axe. Phrases: «chop with an axe», «battle-axe», «get the axe», «face the axe», «axe to grind».

### Examples

- The woodcutter chopped the log with his axe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x1)
- Vikings fought with axes and shields. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x2)
- Stone Age people made axes from flint. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x3)
- The swimming club was axed because there was no money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x4)
- Our favourite show got the axe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x5)
- Two hundred jobs were axed at the factory. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x6)
- He criticised the plan because he had an axe to grind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/#x7)

### Note

Use «an»: «an axe». UK spelling «axe», US «ax» (both «axes» in the plural). Trap: «axes» is also the plural of «axis» (x-axis and y-axis), but said differently: "AX-eez". «Battle-axe» is also a rude old word for a fierce woman.

## In Jewish tradition

In history lessons, stone axes, Viking battle-axes and Iron Age tools appear. In everyday safety: axes are sharp and heavy, only for adults. In news and everyday talk, «axed» means cancelled or cut: «the bus route was axed», «jobs axed». In stories, a woodcutter carries an axe. Phrases: «chop with an axe», «battle-axe», «get the axe», «face the axe», «axe to grind».

### Examples

- Should the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? (Prophets ISA.10.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/axe/#x1)
- It seemed as when men wield upwards axes in a thicket of trees. (Writings PSA.74.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/axe/#x2)
- And he shall set his battering engines against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. (Prophets EZK.26.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/axe/#x3)

### Note

Use «an»: «an axe». UK spelling «axe», US «ax» (both «axes» in the plural). Trap: «axes» is also the plural of «axis» (x-axis and y-axis), but said differently: "AX-eez". «Battle-axe» is also a rude old word for a fierce woman.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «axe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/axe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«axe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/axe.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «axe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/axe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«axe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/axe.html) on Mova free.