[pole.ax] n [ME polax, pollax, fr. pol, polle poll + ax] (14c) 1: a battle-ax with a short handle and often a hook or spike opposite the blade; also: one with a long handle used as an ornamental weapon
2: an ax used in slaughtering cattle
[2]poleax vt (1882): to attack, strike, or fell with or as if with a poleax