poleax

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pole·ax / ˈpōˌlaks/ (also pole·axe) • n. another term for battle-ax (sense 1). ∎  a short-handled ax with a spike at the back, formerly used in naval warfare for boarding, resisting boarders, and cutting ropes. ∎  a butcher's ax with a hammerhead at the back, used to slaughter animals.• v. [tr.] hit, kill, or knock down with or as if with a poleax. ∎  (often be poleaxed) cause great shock to (someone): I was poleaxed by this revelation.