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maul
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As a noun, maul means a heavy long-handled hammer, used for splitting logs by driving a wedge into them, or in combat. As a verb, it means handle someone or something in a rough way.
Meanings of maul
8 meaningsnoun
A heavy long-handled hammer, used for splitting logs by driving a wedge into them, or in combat.
rugbyA 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.
verb
To handle someone or something in a rough way.
To savage; to cause serious physical wounds (usually used of an animal).
“The bear mauled him in a terrible way.”
figurativelyTo criticise harshly.
“The latest film by the Cohen brothers was mauled by the press, and was a box-office flop to boot.”
To beat with a maul.
Split (wood) with a maul and wedges
Injure badly by beating
Similar: mangle
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).