| 1. | a small, short-handled ax having the end of the head opposite the blade in the form of a hammer, made to be used with one hand. |
| 2. | a tomahawk. |
| 3. | hatchetfish. |
| 4. | to cut, destroy, kill, etc., with a hatchet. |
| 5. | to abridge, delete, excise, etc.: The network censor may hatchet 30 minutes from the script. |
| 6. | bury the hatchet, to become reconciled or reunited; make peace. |
| 7. | take up the hatchet, to begin or resume hostilities; prepare for or go to war: The natives are taking up the hatchet against the enemy. |
hatchet
In addition to the idioms beginning with hatchet, also see bury the hatchet.