maul
Maul (noun) means a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon. Example: “He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
How to use maul
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo attack and injure violently (like an animal mauling someone), or, as a noun, a heavy splitting hammer.
Word forms
mauled past tense, mauls plural, mauls singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He swung the _____ down onto the wedge to split the log in two.
Etymology
From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for maul
See all rhymes for maul →Frequently asked questions
What does “maul” mean?
The word “maul” means a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon. In plain terms, to attack and injure violently (like an animal mauling someone), or, as a noun, a heavy splitting hammer.
How do you pronounce “maul”?
“Maul” is pronounced mawl (/mɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “maul” in a sentence?
Here is “maul” used in a sentence: “He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
What part of speech is “maul”?
Depending on how it is used, “maul” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “maul” come from?
The word “maul” comes from Latin. From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable.".
How many meanings does “maul” have?
“Maul” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.