AX

ax, axe

(noun) an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

ax, axe

(verb) terminate; “The NSF axed the research program and stopped funding it”

axe, ax

(verb) chop or split with an ax; “axe wood”

AXIS

axis, axis of rotation

(noun) the center around which something rotates

axis, axis vertebra

(noun) the 2nd cervical vertebra; serves as a pivot for turning the head

axis

(noun) a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions

bloc, axis

(noun) a group of countries in special alliance

Axis

(noun) in World War II the alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936 which later included Japan and other nations; “the Axis opposed the Allies in World War II”

axis

(noun) the main stem or central part about which plant organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Noun

ax (plural axes)

(American spelling) Alternative form of axe

Verb

ax (third-person singular simple present axes, present participle axing, simple past and past participle axed)

(American spelling) Alternative form of axe

Etymology 2

Verb

ax (third-person singular simple present axes, present participle axing, simple past and past participle axed)

(now, dialectal or nonstandard, especially, African-American Vernacular) Alternative form of ask

Usage notes

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2000), the form “ax” is now associated with African American Vernacular English, but in the past it was common among “white” Americans as well, especially in New England, and is a feature of some British dialects. It was a common word in English for a thousand years (Chaucer used both forms interchangeably), but is now stigmatized as nonstandard. This is similar to the case of words like ain't which were also acceptable in the past.