Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

geddes axe

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.72 in modern English

Syllables: ged-des axe
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any process tending to eliminate non-essential elements

British usage

Example Sentences

"The necessity for its maker, if he wishes to remain in business, to produce an efficient machine which shall at the same time be cheap, and therefore must be as simple as possible, has acted as a kind of "Geddes' Axe," (sic) sweeping away a number of inessential contrivances […]"

Etymology

From Sir Eric Geddes, who chaired a UK government committee charged with finding unprecedented spending cuts in the 1920s.

Usage

British usage

Questions

What does geddes axe mean?: Any process tending to eliminate non-essential elements
Where does geddes axe come from?: From Sir Eric Geddes, who chaired a UK government committee charged with finding unprecedented spending cuts in the 1920s.

How to pronounce geddes axe

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “geddes axe”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “geddes axe”.
Repeat and practice — Say “geddes axe” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.