A tool with a handle and a head that has a sharp point on one end and a flat blade on the other, used for breaking up rock or soil.
From Middle English 'pike' (a pointed weapon) combined with 'axe.' The tool evolved from medieval weapons as miners realized they could repurpose similar designs for extracting minerals.
During the California Gold Rush, pickaxe manufacturers became richer than most gold miners—sometimes smart business beats hard labor!
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