Very savage.
1835. A little dried up man, who was whetting his knife against the side of the fire-place, and looking as savage as a meat-axe.—James Hall, ‘Tales of the Border,’ p. 58 (Phila.).
1840. When the Virginny elections was up, he was as savage as a meat-ax.—John P. Kennedy, ‘Quodlibet,’ p. 184 (1860).
1842. He was as keen and fierce as a meat axe.—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Feb. 10.
1842. Ridin’ don’t agree with you, I guess! now for my part it makes me as savage as a meat-axe!—Mrs. Kirkland, ‘Forest Life,’ i. 126.
1851. [He] looked me right plum in the face as savage as er meet axe!—‘Polly Peablossom’s Wedding,’ &c., p. 149.
1857. He … looked as savage as a meat-axe, till she began to cry and take on.—J. G. Holland, ‘The Bay-Path,’ p. 88.
