Obs. or dial. Forms: 1–2 eax, æx, ex; also (under AX-TREE) 3–7 ax, 4 exe, 4–6 ex, 5–7 axe. [Common Teutonic: OE. æx-e, eax-e, fem., is cogn. with MDu. and MLG. asse, from *ahse, Du. as, OHG. ahsa, MHG. ahse, mod.G. achse, OTeut. ahsâ-, fem., related to Skr. áksha, masc., Gr. ἄζων, L. axis, Lith. aszis, with same sense.]

1

  The AXLE of a wheel; the AXIS of revolution. Not found after the OE. period exc. in compounds, as ax-nail, the nail or pin by which the axle-tree is fixed to a cart, and AX-TREE, q.v.

2

a. 700.  Epinal Gloss., 1/D 10. Axis, aex.

3

c. 885.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 7. On wænes eaxe hwearfaþ þa hweól, and sió eax stent stille.

4

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Man. Astron. (Wr.), 16. Axis þat is ex.

5

1585.  Wills & Inv. N. C. (1860), 112. j long wayne without wheels, ij yron ax-nailes … and two ax-trees.

6