pickax

or pick·axe

[ pik-aks ]
/ ˈpɪkˌæks /

noun, plural pick·ax·es.

a pick, especially a mattock.

verb (used with object), pick·axed, pick·ax·ing.

to cut or clear away with a pickax.

verb (used without object), pick·axed, pick·ax·ing.

to use a pickax.

Origin of pickax

1275–1325; pick2 + ax; replacing Middle English picois < Middle French, Old French; akin to French pic pick2. See pique1

Example sentences from the Web for pickaxe

British Dictionary definitions for pickaxe

pickaxe

US pickax

/ (ˈpɪkˌæks) /

noun

a large pick or mattock

verb

to use a pickaxe on (earth, rocks, etc)

Word Origin for pickaxe

C15: from earlier pikois (but influenced also by axe), from Old French picois, from pic pick ²; compare also pique 1