Dictionary-Definition.com :: Maul definition

Definition of 'maul'

noun

A heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedges [syn: maul, sledge, sledgehammer]

verb

Split (wood) with a maul and wedges

verb

Injure badly by beating [syn: maul, mangle]

From: GCIDE

Maul \Maul\, n. [See Mall a hammer.] A heavy wooden hammer or beetle. [Written also mall.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Maul \Maul\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mauled; p. pr. & vb. n. Mauling.]
1. To beat and bruise with a heavy stick or cudgel; to wound in a coarse manner. [1913 Webster]
Meek modern faith to murder, hack, and maul. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
2. To injure greatly; to do much harm to. [1913 Webster]
It mauls not only the person misrepreseted, but him also to whom he is misrepresented. --South. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Mall \Mall\ (m[add]l; 277), n. [Written also maul.] [OE. malle, F. mail, L. malleus. Cf. Malleus.]
1. A large heavy wooden beetle; a mallet for driving anything with force; a maul. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
2. A heavy blow. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
3. An old game played with malls or mallets and balls. See Pall-mall. --Cotton. [1913 Webster]
4. A place where the game of mall was played. Hence: A public walk; a level shaded walk. [1913 Webster]
Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and planted with elms; and these convenient and frequented walks obtained the name of the City Mall. --Southey. [1913 Webster]

Maul an old name for a mallet, the rendering of the Hebrew mephits (Prov. 25:18), properly a war-club.