Editing Poleaxe (section)

== Use in language ==

As a noun:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/poleaxe#Noun | title=Poleaxe | date=20 March 2023 }}</ref>
* An ax having both a blade and a hammer face; used to slaughter cattle.
* (historical) A long-handled battle axe, being a combination of ax, hammer and pike.

As a [[transitive verb]]:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/poleaxe#Verb | title=Poleaxe | date=20 March 2023 }}</ref>

* (transitive) To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
* (transitive, figurative) To astonish; to shock or surprise utterly. 
* (transitive, figurative) To stymie, thwart, cripple, paralyze.