Pickaxe

Definition

A tool consisting of a handle attached to a head with a sharp, pointed end on one side and a flat or slightly curved end on the other, used for breaking through hard surfaces like rock, ice, or compacted earth. Essential in mining, construction, and archaeological excavation.

Example Usage

The miners used pickaxes to extract ore from the rocky mountain face during the early morning shift.

Origin

From Middle English 'pik' (from Old French 'pic') combined with 'axe' (from Old English 'æx'); the tool design dates back centuries, with variants found across many cultures.

Fun Fact

During the California Gold Rush, pickaxes became so valuable that merchants often profited more from selling tools to prospectors than the prospectors did from finding gold.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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