billhook Meaning & Definition
What Does Billhook Mean?
Billhook is a noun that means A medieval polearm, fitted to a long handle, sometimes with an L-shaped tine or a spike protruding from the side or the end of the blade for tackling the opponent; a bill. It is also used to mean An agricultural hand tool often with a curved or hooked end to the blade used for pruning or cutting thick, woody plants. As a verb, it means To use a billhook.
Word Facts for Billhook
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | bill, handbill and pruning hook |
| Plural | billhooks |
| Verb forms | billhooks, billhooking, billhooked |
Billhook Definition (Noun)
- A medieval polearm, fitted to a long handle, sometimes with an L-shaped tine or a spike protruding from the side or the end of the blade for tackling the opponent; a bill.
- An agricultural hand tool often with a curved or hooked end to the blade used for pruning or cutting thick, woody plants.
- A part of the knotting mechanism in a reaper-binder or baler (agricultural machinery).
- Rare form of bill hook (“spiked hook used in shops for hanging papers”).
- Rare form of bill hook (“sharply pointed spike on honeyguide hatchlings' mandibles”).
Billhook as a Verb
- To use a billhook.
Synonyms of Billhook
Word Forms & Grammar
billhook (plural billhooks)
billhook (third-person singular simple present billhooks, present participle billhooking, simple past and past participle billhooked)
Origin of Billhook
Earliest use in weapon (and later, agricultural) sense, bill (“a bladed pike (obsolete)”) + hook; other senses formed anew from various meanings of bill.
Quick Answers About Billhook
Is billhook a noun or a verb?
Billhook is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for billhook?
Words with a similar meaning to billhook include bill, handbill and pruning hook. See the full list of billhook synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of billhook?
The plural of billhook is billhooks.
What is the past tense of billhook?
The past tense of billhook is billhooked. The present participle is billhooking.