Pronunciation: [ˈadz] (IPA) 
Adze is a tool used for shaping wood or other materials. The word is spelled with a "z," which represents the voiced consonant /z/, pronounced as "z" in "zebra." The vowel sound in "adze" is the short /a/ sound, like in "cat," which is written with the IPA symbol /æ/. The final "e" in "adze" is silent, indicating that the vowel before it is not pronounced as a diphthong. Therefore, "adze" is pronounced as /ædz/ in IPA transcription.
Adze is a noun that refers to a versatile and ancient woodworking tool, primarily used for shaping wood by removing thin shavings. It is typically a handheld tool with a cutting edge that is perpendicular to the tool's handle.
The adze consists of a curved and sharpened blade, usually made of steel, iron, or bronze, securely fitted into a wooden or metal handle. The blade has a convex shape that allows it to efficiently cut through wood, making it especially effective at shaping curved surfaces and creating shallow concave cuts. The handle, often made of hardwood, serves as a grip and leverage point for the user.
The purpose of the adze is to carve, shape, or smooth rough wooden surfaces. It is commonly used in woodworking and carpentry for tasks such as carving wooden joints, shaping beams or planks, hollowing out bowls or troughs, and roughing out the general shape of wooden objects or structures. It can be used with quick, chopping motions, or by carefully peeling away thin layers of wood in controlled strokes.
Due to its effectiveness in quickly removing material, the adze played a significant role in early civilizations and was essential for building structures, crafting tools, and making boats or other wooden objects. While its usage has decreased with the advancement of power tools, the adze is still utilized by skilled craftsmen or those seeking a traditional and handcrafted approach to woodworking.
The word "adze" has its roots in Old English and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "aduson", which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "h₂ed-, h₂od-", meaning "to cut". This same root has given rise to several related words, such as "ax" and "adz" in English, "adze" in Middle Dutch, and "hattaz" in Old Norse.
