Etymology

From earlier æces (compare also Northumbrian acas), from Proto-Germanic *akwisī, probably from a Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷs-ih₂- ‎(“axe”), from *h₂eḱ- ‎(“sharp, pointed”). Cognate with Old Frisian axa, Old Saxon akus (Low German Ax, Äx, Ex), Dutch aaks, Old High German ackus (German Axt), Old Norse øx (Danish økse, Swedish yxa), Gothic 𐌰𐌵𐌹𐌶𐌹 ‎(aqizi).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æks/