In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
POLEAXE
poleax, poleaxe
(noun) a battle ax used in the Middle Ages; a long handled ax and a pick
poleax, poleaxe
(noun) an ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the blade
poleax, poleaxe
(verb) fell with or as if with a poleax
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
poleaxe (plural poleaxes)
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.
Hypernyms
• polearm
Verb
poleaxe (third-person singular simple present poleaxes, present participle poleaxing, simple past and past participle poleaxed)
(transitive) To fell someone with, or as if with, a poleaxe.
(transitive, figurative) To astonish; to shock or surprise utterly.
Source: Wiktionary
Pole"ax`, Pole"axe`, n. Etym: [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See Poll head, and Ax.]
Definition: Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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