ax

Ax is most widely known as a spelling variant of axe, the hand tool used for chopping wood or shaping timber. In American English, ax is common, while axe is standard in British English and many other varieties. The word derives from Old English æx, with countless regional spellings over time. The tool typically features a steel head with a sharp blade mounted on a wooden or composite handle and comes in many forms for felling, splitting, or general camp use.

In its tool form, an axe varies by head geometry and weight to suit specific tasks. Felling axes have long handles and beveled edges for cutting across the grain, while splitting axes and mauls are designed to pry apart logs along the grain. Hatchets are smaller, one-handed versions used for light cutting, campsite tasks, and carving. Proper maintenance, including sharpening and keeping the handle dry and secure, is essential for safe use.

In computing, AX denotes a 16-bit accumulator register in x86 architecture. It is used in various assembly language operations and interacts with the 32-bit EAX and 64-bit RAX forms in modern processors. The low and high bytes of AX are AL and AH, respectively, and the register participates in arithmetic, data transfer, and interrupt-related tasks.

Other uses are more incidental: Ax can appear as an abbreviation for axiom in mathematical or logical contexts, or as a surname or given name in some cases. As a term, Ax thus has practical, technical, and symbolic meanings that vary by field.