'Poleaxe' definitions:

Definition of 'poleaxe'

noun

An ax used to slaughter cattle; has a hammer opposite the blade [syn: poleax, poleaxe]

noun

A battle ax used in the Middle Ages; a long handled ax and a pick [syn: poleax, poleaxe]

verb

Fell with or as if with a poleax [syn: poleax, poleaxe]

From: GCIDE

Poleax \Pole"ax`\, Poleaxe \Pole"axe`\, n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD. pollexe. See Poll head, and Ax.] Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in boarding a vessel. [1913 Webster] poleaxe

From: GCIDE

poleax \poleax\, poleaxe \poleaxe\v. t.
1. To fell with or as if with a poleax; -- often used figuratively; as, the entire department was poleaxed after the takeover. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]
2. Stunned; astonished;; as, we couldn't speak, poleaxed by the sight in fronnt fo us. [PJC]