axel
n. countablen. a difficult jump in figure skating where the skater takes off from one foot and turns in the air. It is the only jump that starts while moving forward.
n. an edge jump in figure skating characterized by a forward take-off and an extra half-rotation in the air. Named after its creator, Axel Paulsen.
She landed a perfect double axel during her routine.
The young skater practiced her triple axel for months before finally landing it in competition.
While many skaters can perform a double axel, the triple version remains a significant technical barrier that separates elite competitors from the rest of the field.
From Danish Aksel, first used for the bishop and statesman Absalon Hvide (1128–1201), from biblical Absalom. Some sources suggest that the bishop was originally named Áskell, from Old Norse "god" + "cauldron, helmet", and Absalon was chosen as the nearest-sounding Christian equivalent, leading to the exchange of the middle consonants.
Commonly modified by 'double' or 'triple' to indicate the number of rotations.
the car's axelthe car's axleLearners often confuse the skating jump 'axel' with the mechanical rod 'axle' found in vehicles.