Poleax

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Poleax \Pole"ax`\, Poleaxe \Pole"axe`\, n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD.
     pollexe. See {Poll} head, and Ax.]
     Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an
     ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously
     patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in
     boarding a vessel.


     [1913 Webster] poleaxe

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  poleax \poleax\, poleaxe \poleaxe\v. t.
     1. To fell with or as if with a poleax; -- often used
        figuratively; as, the entire department was poleaxed after
        the takeover.
        [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]
  
     2. Stunned; astonished;; as, we couldn't speak, poleaxed by
        the sight in fronnt fo us.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  poleax
       n 1: an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the
            blade [syn: {poleaxe}]
       2: a battle ax used in the Middle Ages; a long handled ax and a
          pick [syn: {poleaxe}]
       v : fell with or as if with a poleax [syn: {poleaxe}]