battle axe

plural battle axes · alternative battleaxe · alternative battle-ax · alternative battleax

1. An ancient military weapon, an axe designed for combat, including (in heraldry) when borne on arms as a mark of prowess.

   Another battle-ax, in the same collection.

   1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page x

   1 more example

   No Jute is left to wield a sword to save this hoard. No one is left to swing the battle-ax skyward.

   1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 40

2. humorousinformalsometimesA domineering, antagonistic woman.

   My mother-in-law is a real battle axe.

   Synonyms: shrew

3. informalAn electric guitar.

   The instruments (one's named Baby) evoke tender talk from macho musicians. But some of these battle-ax beauties have seen more action than a roller derby queen: They bear the gashes and sweat stains to prove it.

   2013, Kiley Armstrong, “"108 Rock Star Guitars" reveals battle-ax beauty”, in Associated Press

4. AustraliaAn allotment of land at the rear of another property, with a long, narrow strip of land connecting it to the roadway.

   Synonyms: flag lot