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hatchet

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hatch⋅et

  [hach-it]
Use hatchet in a Sentence
–noun
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.
–verb (used with object)
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.
—Idioms
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.
Origin:
1300–50; 1670–80, Americanism for def. 6; ME hachet < MF hachette, dim. (see -et ) of hache ax < Frankish *hapja kind of knife; akin to Gk kóptein to cut (cf. comma, syncope )

Related forms:
hatch⋅et⋅like, adjective
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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hatch·et   (hāch'ĭt)   
n.  

  1. A small, short-handled ax for use in one hand.

  2. A tomahawk.


[Middle English hachet, from Old French hachete, diminutive of hache, ax, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German happa, sickle.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

hatchet 
1166, from O.Fr. hachette, dim. of hache "axe," possibly from Frank. *happja (cf. O.H.G. happa "sickle, scythe"), from P.Gmc. *khæbijo, from PIE base *(s)qep- "to cut" (cf. Gk. kopis "knife," Lith. kaplys "hatchet"). Phrase bury the hatchet (1794) is from Native American peacemaking custom. Hatchet-man was originally California slang for "hired Chinese assassin" (1880), later extended figuratively to journalists who attacked the reputation of a public figure (1944).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: hatch·et
Pronunciation: 'hach-&t
Function: noun
: a dental excavator
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

hatchet

In addition to the idioms beginning with hatchet, also see bury the hatchet.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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