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| ax [ aks ] or axe [ aks ] |
noun (plural ax·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. tool for cutting: a tool consisting of a flat heavy metal head with a sharpened edge attached to a long handle, used to chop wood or fell trees
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2. job loss: an abrupt dismissal from a job
(
slang
)
  Her secretary got the ax yesterday.
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3. termination: the termination of something such as a service or series of television programs, usually without prior warning or discussion
(
slang
)
The tractor plant is slated for the ax.
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4. musical instrument: a rock guitar or a jazz saxophone
(
slang
)
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transitive verb (past and past participle axed, present participle ax·ing, 3rd person present singular ax·es) (3rd person present singular ax·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. terminate something: to end something such as a service or series of television programs, usually without prior warning or discussion
(
usually passive
)
The show was axed after only five episodes.
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2. fire somebody: to dismiss somebody from a job, especially abruptly
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3. reduce something drastically: to cut something such as expenditures or services drastically
Most of the welfare provisions were axed from the budget.
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| [ Old English æcs< Indo-European] |
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an ax to grind a personal consideration or motivation, especially one involving a grievance
It was clear from their hostile questioning that certain reporters had an ax to grind on this issue.
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