I. ˈhachə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English hachet, hacchet small ax, from Middle French hachette, from hache battle-ax + -ette — more at hash
1.
a. : a short-handled ax with a hammerhead to be used with one hand either for cutting or hammering
b. : tomahawk
2. : a dental excavator
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to cut or kill with a hatchet
hatchet a tree
hatchet an enemy
2. : to dispatch as if with a hatchet
hatchet a proposal