DCHP-3

tomahawk ((v.))

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1†v.

strike with a tomahawk; kill with a tomahawk.

Quotations

1778
Seeing by the fate of their comrades what they had to expect, the next on his left sang his death song, and was in turn tomahawked.
1910
In the darkness of night this wretch rose up, tomahawked the helpless women and children, and disappeared with their scalps.
1963
The wounded were knifed and tomahawked, the dead stripped and ripped up after the Indian fashion.
2v.

prevent bills from passing into law.

Quotations

1832
The Legislative Council have . . . tomahawked Mr. Bidwell's bill for dividing intestate property equally among the children.
1836
Of 32 Bills sent up in the last 12 days, they contrived ... to "tomahawk" 21, which is equal to nearly 70 per cent.
1883
His Majesty's Royal assent would have been given to that bill had it not . . . fallen into company with some ruthless vagrant . . . who had slandered, abused, and tomahawked it at the foot of the throne.
3v.

Figurative uses.

Quotations

1834
The above communication, as far as the composition is concerned, is "prose run mad," or the King's English tomahawked and scalped, in both sense and grammar.
1852
It seems to be the general impression that McKirdy, the innocent, is to be tomahawked [sacrificed] to save Scott, the guilty.