Also francesque, -isque. [ad. med.L. francisca, or its adopted form in Fr.] A battle-axe varying in form, used by the Franks.
1801. A. Ranken, Hist. France, I. 21. The whole army consented cheerfully, except one soldier, who raising his francesque or battle-axe, struck the vessel, telling his leader, that he should have nothing more than fell to his share by lot.
1864. Kingsley, Rom. & Teut., vi. (1875), 141. Theudebert and his falce Franks came down … armed with … heavy short-handled double-edged francisc, or battle-axe.
