æx

Old English

Etymology

From earlier æces (compare also Northumbrian acas), from Proto-Germanic *akwisī, probably from a Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷs-ih₂- (“axe”), from *h₂eḱ- (“sharp, pointed”). Cognate with Old Frisian axa, Old Saxon akus (Low German Ax, Äx, Ex), Dutch aaks, Old High German ackus (German Axt), Old Norse øx (Danish økse, Swedish yxa), Gothic 𐌰𐌵𐌹𐌶𐌹 (aqizi).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æks/

Noun

æx f

1. an axe, used as a weapon or cutting-tool

Descendants

• Middle English: ax, axe, exe
  • English: axe, ax
  • Scots: aix