Battle-Ax
people
Quick Summary
The term "battle-ax" has two primary meanings. Historically, it refers to a broadax used as a weapon in warfare, dating back to at least the 14th century. These were often derived from earlier weapons made of antler and influenced by metal forms.12
In modern usage, "battle-ax" is a derogatory term for a woman who is sharp-tongued, domineering, or combative. Synonyms for this figurative use include shrew, termagant, and harpy.13
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
6 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.