noun

axe

A guitar, in musicians' slang.

The guitarist picks up his axe before the solo.

Etymology

Musicians extended axe to an instrument, including the saxophone and guitar. The term presents the instrument as the performer’s working tool; the exact route of this slang extension is uncertain.

More examples

  • He called the old guitar his favorite axe.
  • The musician carried two axes to the show.
  • She plugged her axe into the amplifier.

Forms

axe · axes

Similar words

guitar
The ordinary instrument name.