n. & v. (US ax)
n. 1 a chopping-tool, usu. of iron with a steel edge and wooden handle. 2 the drastic cutting or elimination of expenditure, staff, etc.
v.tr. (axing) 1 cut (esp. costs or services) drastically. 2 remove or dismiss. axe-breaker a hard-wooded Australian tree. an axe to grind private ends to serve.
[ OE x f. Gmc ]