ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pickaxe

n.
UK //pˈɪkæks// pick·axe
Synonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English pykeaxe, pecaxe, pyke exe (“pickaxe”), an alteration (due to folk etymology association with pick and axe) of Middle English pikeyse, pikeys, pykois, from Anglo-Norman pikeis, Old French picois, pecois, from Latin picōsa (“pickaxe”), from picca, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic pīk (“sharp point, pike”). Doublet of pique and pike.

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