adze

Everyday

An adze is an old cutting tool like an axe, but with its blade set across the handle, used for shaping wood. tree →

In the lessons

Used in history lessons (Stone Age tools, Māori and Pacific canoe makers, shipbuilders), and woodwork.

Examples

• The Stone Age people made an adze from stone. tree →
• Māori carvers used a toki, a kind of adze. tree →
• The shipbuilder shaped the beam with an adze. tree →
• An adze blade is turned sideways, unlike an axe. tree →
• The museum has a polished stone adze. tree →
• He swung the adze to smooth the log. tree →

Note

Pronounced like «adds». US spelling «adz». Not the same as an axe: an axe's blade is in line with the handle; an adze's blade is across it, like a hoe.