Brewer's: Hammer

(Anglo-Saxon, hamer.)

(1) Pierre d'Ailly, Le Marteau des Hérétiques, president of the council that condemned John Huss. (1350-1425.)

(2) Judas Asmonæus, surnamed Maccabæus, “the hammer.” (B.C. 166-136.)

(3) St. Augustine is called by Hakewell “That renowned pillar of truth and hammer of heresies.” (B.C. 395-430.)

(4) John Faber, surnamed Malleus Hereticorum, from the title of one of his works. (1470-1541.)

(5) St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Malleus Arianorum. (350-367.)

(6) Charles Martel. (689-741.)

“On prétend qu'on lui donna le surnom de Martel, parcequ'il avait écrasé comme avec un marteau les Sarrasins, qui, sous la conduite d'Abdérame, avaient envahi la France.” —Bouillet. Dictionnaire Universel, etc.

Hammer

PHRASES AND PROVERBS.

Gone to the hammer.

Applied to goods sent to a sale by auction; the auctioneer giving a rap with a small hammer when a lot is sold, to intimate that there is an end to the bidding.

They live hammer and tongs.

Are always quarrelling. They beat each other like hammers, and are as “cross as the tongs.”

“Both parties went at it hammer and tongs; and hit one another anywhere and with anything.” —James Payn.

To sell under the hammer. To sell by auction. (See above.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Hammer of the Scotch

Hammel