æks n. & v. (US ax) --n. 1 a chopping-tool, usu. of
iron with a
steel edge and wooden handle. 2
the drastic cutting or elimination of
expenditure, staff, etc. --v.tr. (axing) 1
cut (esp. costs or services) drastically. 2
remove or
dismiss. øaxe-breaker a hard-wooded
Australian tree. an axe to
grind private ends to
serve. [OE
óx f. Gmc]