Maul

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔːl
• Homophones: mall

Origin

Middle English malle ("mace, maul"), from Anglo-Norman mail, from Old French mail, from Latin malleus ("hammer")

Full definition of maul

Noun

1. A heavy long-handled hammer, used for splitting logs by driving a wedge into it, or in combat.
2. (rugby) A situation where the player carrying the ball, who must be on his feet, is held by one or more opponents, and one or more of the ball carrier's team mates bind onto the ball carrier.

Synonyms

• (weapon) club, mace

Verb

1. To handle someone or something in a rough way.
2. To savage; to cause serious physical wounds usually used of an animal.The bear mauled him in a terrible way.
3. (figuratively) To criticise harshly.

Related terms

• mall
• mallet

Anagrams

• alum
• luma