poleaxe

• Nom désignant un type de hache, historiquement utilisée comme arme au Moyen Âge ou pour abattre le bétail, avec un marteau à l'opposé de la lame.

A noun referring to a type of axe, historically used as a weapon in the Middle Ages or for slaughtering cattle, featuring a hammer opposite the blade.

1. Butcher's toolC1formal

   A heavy axe with a hammer head opposite the blade, used for slaughtering cattle.

   Massue de boucher

   • The butcher used a poleaxe to stun the animal before slaughter.
   • The poleaxe's hammer side was designed to deliver a blunt blow.
   • Modern slaughterhouses have replaced the poleaxe with more humane methods.

   Synonymespoleax

2. Medieval weaponC1formal

   A long-handled battle axe with a pointed spike or pick on one side, used in the Middle Ages.

   Hache d'armes médiévale

   • The knight wielded a poleaxe with deadly precision.
   • Medieval poleaxes were effective against armored opponents.
   • The museum displayed a beautifully preserved poleaxe from the 15th century.

   Synonymeshalberd