Meaning

• A tool for felling trees or chopping wood etc. consisting of a heavy head flattened to a blade on one side, and a handle attached to it.

• An ancient weapon consisting of a head that has one or two blades and a long handle.

• A dismissal or rejection.

  "His girlfriend/boss/schoolmaster gave him the axe."

• A gigging musician's particular instrument, especially a guitar in rock music or a saxophone in jazz.

• A position, interest, or reason in buying and selling stock, often with ulterior motives.

  "A financial dealer has an axe in a stock that his buyers don't know about, giving him an advantage in making the most profit."

Meaning

• To fell or chop with an axe.

• To lay off, terminate or drastically reduce, especially in a rough or ruthless manner; to cancel.

  "He got axed in the last round of firings."