mattock
UK[ˈmætək]US[ˈmætək]
n
a tool for digging, similar to a pickaxe but with one broad blade and one pointed end or two broad blades.
Etymology
the word 'mattock' has a long history in the english language, traceable directly to the old english 'mattuc'. its ultimate origins are obscure but may lie in celtic languages or in a germanic root meaning 'to cut' or 'to hew'. the tool's name has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning over more than a millennium, referring consistently to a versatile hand tool used for digging and chopping. its persistence highlights its fundamental role in agriculture and land cultivation throughout english history.
Analysis
the word 'mattock' is a simplex form. its origin is from old english 'mattuc', of uncertain etymology, possibly related to the root of 'mate' (as in a companion tool) or from a celtic source.
Examples
the archaeologist carefully used a mattock to loosen the compacted soil.
for breaking up hard ground, a mattock is often more effective than a standard shovel.
he leaned on the handle of his mattock, taking a brief rest from clearing the rocky field.