DCHP-3

hatchet

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

in phrases where the hatchet symbolizes war; originally an Indian metaphor:

Quotations

1n. — Obs.

heave up the hatchet against, threaten or promise to make war on.

Quotations

<i>c</i>1665
In those feasts my father heaves up his hatchet against the Algonquins.
2n. — Obs.

send a hatchet, invite to join an alliance for making war.

Quotations

1796
The last accounts from the Westward inform us that the Creeks have sent a hatchet to the Hurons and the other Indian tribes of that confederacy.
1814
. . . when you sent the hatchet, we took hold of it, Father, and made use of it, Father, as you know.
3†n. — Obs.

take up the hatchet, declare war; make war.

Quotations

1812
If we took up the hatchet it was in vain. . . .
1812
They were the first to take up the hatchet, the first to begin the war dance.
1912
To "take up the hatchet" was to declare war. . . .
4†n.

bury the hatchet, stop fighting; make peace; end a quarrel.

See: tomahawk ((n.))(def. 2)

Quotations

1703
[Burying the axe signifies peace.]
1850
It was at length announced that a great deputation was coming from all the cantons, with the intention of "uniting the whole earth," and "of burying the hatchet so deep that it might never again be dug up."
1908
"And to see us . . . kiss the hatchet and bury it as we spoke," added another.
1942
"There wasn't any god in Nova Scotia in '49. Only the Injun god Muntoo--him the French priests called the devil. We gave 'em Muntoo, from '49 to '61, when they buried the hatchet at last."
1956
When freeze-up came we were going to cut each other's throats in business, but the hatchet would be buried until that time came around.
5†n.

dig up the hatchet, resume hostilities; break a peace agreed to by burying the hatchet.

Quotations

1840
This agreement is often accompanied with professions, at the moment perhaps sincere, of maintaining the sun always in the heavens, and never again digging up the hatchet.
1913
To dig up the hatchet, to recall the cause of strife or to renew the quarrel.