pickax

pick·ax or pick·axe  (pkks)

n.

A pick, especially with one end of the head pointed and the other end with a chisel edge for cutting through roots.

v. pick·axed, pick·ax·ing, pick·ax·es

v.intr.

To use a pickax.

v.tr.

To use a pickax on.

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[Middle English picax, alteration (influenced by ax, ax) of picas, from Old French picois (from pic, pick) and from Medieval Latin pcsa, both probably from Latin pcus, woodpecker.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pickax - a heavy iron tool with a wooden handle and a curved head that is pointed on both ends; "they used picks and sledges to break the rocks" pickaxe, pick edge tool - any cutting tool with a sharp cutting edge (as a chisel or knife or plane or gouge) mattock - a kind of pick that is used for digging; has a flat blade set at right angles to the handle