battle-axe

battle-axe — noun

1. a large axe with a wide metal blade, used by soldiers in past centuries as a wea

1.名詞B2
釋義

a large axe with a wide metal blade, used by soldiers in past centuries as a weapon during fighting.

例句

The museum display showed a medieval battle-axe that a knight had carried into war.

medieval battle-axe

Warriors would swing their battle-axes with great force during close combat.

同義詞
  • broadax

    a specific type of wide-bladed axe, often used as a tool rather than a weapon

  • poleaxe

    a long-handled axe used in medieval warfare, similar but with a longer shaft

文法句型

battle-axe + verb (is/was used)

用法筆記

This sense refers to the literal weapon. The word is also used as a compound noun, and the alternative spelling battle-ax (without the e) is common in American English.

常見錯誤

❌The knight carried a battle-axe and a shield to cut wood.
✅The knight carried a battle-axe and a shield into battle.
💡a battle-axe was a weapon, not a tool for chopping wood.

2. an insulting word for an older woman who is forceful, bad-tempered, and enjoys c

2.名詞C1
釋義

an insulting word for an older woman who is forceful, bad-tempered, and enjoys controlling other people.

例句

The neighbours called her an old battle-axe because she complained loudly about every tiny noise.

old battle-axe

Sofia's new supervisor is a complete battle-axe who barks orders at everyone from morning till night.

complete battle-axe

同義詞
  • shrew

    also describes a bad-tempered woman, but is less common in modern use

  • harpy

    suggests a cruel, aggressive woman who preys on others; more mythological in tone

  • termagant

    a formal, old-fashioned word for a violent, quarrelsome woman

文法句型

call someone a battle-axe

be a battle-axe

用法筆記

This is a strongly negative and insulting term. Using it can cause serious offence. It specifically targets older women, and there is no common male equivalent — avoid using it to describe men.

常見錯誤

❌My mother is a real battle-axe and I love her cooking.
✅My aunt is a traditional cook and I love her food.
💡battle-axe is only used as an insult; do not use it in a neutral or positive context.