( US also poleax )
■ noun a battleaxe.
↘a short-handled axe with a spike at the back, formerly used in naval warfare.
↘a butcher's axe with a hammer head at the back, used to slaughter animals.
■ verb
1》 hit, kill, or knock down with or as if with a ~.
2》 shock greatly.
Origin
ME: related to MDu. pol(l)aex , Mid. Low Ger. pol(l)exe (see poll , axe ).