HATCHET

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hatchet mean? 

• HATCHET (noun)
  The noun HATCHET has 2 senses:

1. weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians

2. a small ax with a short handle used with one hand (usually to chop wood)

  Familiarity information: HATCHET used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HATCHET (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

hatchet; tomahawk

Hypernyms ("hatchet" is a kind of...):

arm; weapon; weapon system (any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A small ax with a short handle used with one hand (usually to chop wood)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("hatchet" is a kind of...):

ax; axe (an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hatchet"):

broad hatchet (a short-handled hatchet with a broad blade opposite a hammerhead)

claw hatchet (a hatchet that has a cleft for pulling nails)

half hatchet (a hatchet with a half axe head)

 Context examples 

With that he jumped up in a rage, seized his hatchet, and threw it at the sparrow; but it missed her, and only broke the window.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Seating himself with a leg overhanging the abyss on each side, and his hatchet slung upon his back, Challenger hopped his way across the trunk and was soon at the other side.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At the same time he dropped the hatchet and shifted the club to his right hand.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

The American, a quiet, businesslike young man, with a clean-shaven, hatchet face, flushed up at the words of commendation.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mary Kingsley insisted on lending her her watch till recess, and Jenny Snow, a satirical young lady, who had basely twitted Amy upon her limeless state, promptly buried the hatchet and offered to furnish answers to certain appalling sums.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

With that he could wait no longer: so he gave his wife the hatchet, and cried, “Wife, strike at the bird and kill her in my hand.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The man smiled grimly, and brought a hatchet and a club.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

All these things we collected together in the clearing, and as a first precaution, we cut down with our hatchet and knives a number of thorny bushes, which we piled round in a circle some fifteen yards in diameter.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The carter ran up and struck at her again with his hatchet; but away she flew, and the blow fell upon the second horse and killed him on the spot.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

“Sure,” the man replied, driving the hatchet into the crate for a pry.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)