Lewis & Short

ascĭa, ae, f. [kindred with ἀξίνη, an axe], an axe for hewing wood, a carpenter’s axe (syn.: securis, bipennis, ferrum).

  1. I. Lit.: rogum asciā ne polito, Fragm. XII. Tab. ap. Cic Leg 2, 23; Plin. 7, 56, 57, § 198: tilia ascias retundit, id 16, 40, 76, § 207: in securi et asciā aliquid deicere, Vulg. Psa. 73, 6: lignum de saltu praecidit opus manūs artificis in asciā, ib. Jer. 10, 3.
    Prov.. asciam sibi in crus impingere or illidere, to cut one’s own legs, Petr 74, 16; cf. App. M. 3, p. 139, 6.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. A mattock, a hoel asciae in aversā parte referentes rastros, Pall. 1, 43, 3
    2. B. A mason’s trowel, Vitr. 7, 2; Pall. 1, 14; upon monuments such a trowel is found pictured, and in the inscription the expression SVB ASCIA or AD ASCIAM DEDICATVM, i. e. consecrated while yet under the trowel (prob this was done in order to protect the empty sepulchre from injury), Inscr Orell. 249, 4464; 4465; 4466; 4467: PATER ET MATER FILIO DVLCISSIMO AD ASCIAM DEDICATVM POSVERVNT, ib. 4468.