Hatchet
/ˈhætʃ.ɪt/noun
A small, light axe used for chopping or cutting.
Did you know?The word 'hatchet' is derived from the Old French 'hachette', which means 'little axe', and has ties to the ancient practice of ritual sacrifice through its use in ceremonial contexts.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁eḱ-
“to cut or hew”
Latin
Latin
secare
“to cut, to divide”
Old French
Old French
hache
“axe”
Old French
Old French
hachette
“little axe”
Middle English
Middle English
hatchet
“small axe used for cutting”
Modern English
English
hatchet
“a small axe, often used for chopping wood or as a tool.”