hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈha-chət 

1

: a short-handled ax often with a hammerhead to be used with one hand

2

: tomahawk

Examples of hatchet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the incoming president will likely also have significant leverage over the decision, especially if DeSantis hopes to bury the hatchet with the first family. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024

Fans know what to expect: hatchets crunching into limbs and scalps peeled like oranges. —Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024

Wright was away supervising work on Chicago’s Midway Gardens when Carlton doused the stone home in gasoline, lit a match, and attacked those inside with a hatchet. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024

And a deep cleft, like something left by a hatchet, above the bridge of my nose. —Forrest Gander, The New York Review of Books, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hachet, from Anglo-French hachette, diminutive of hache battle-ax — more at hash

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hatchet

• bury the hatchet
• hatchet face
• hatchet job
• hatchet man
• hatchet work

Kids Definition

hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈhach-ət 

: a small ax with a short handle

Etymology

Middle English hachet "small ax, hatchet," from early French hachette, literally, "small battle-ax," from hache "battle-ax"; of Germanic origin — related to hash entry 1, hatch entry 4

Medical Definition

hatchet

noun

hatch·​et ˈhach-ət 

: a dental excavator