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¹wax

noun \ˈwaks\

Definition of WAX

: a substance that is secreted by bees and is used by them for constructing the honeycomb, that is a dull yellow solid plastic when warm, and that is composed of a mixture of esters, cerotic acid, and hydrocarbons —called also beeswax

: any of various substances resembling the wax of bees: as

a : any of numerous substances of plant or animal origin that differ from fats in being less greasy, harder, and more brittle and in containing principally compounds of high molecular weight (as fatty acids, alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbons)

b : a solid substance (as ozokerite or paraffin wax) of mineral origin consisting usually of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight

c : a pliable or liquid composition used especially in uniting surfaces, excluding air, making patterns or impressions, or producing a polished surface

: something likened to wax as soft, impressionable, or readily molded

: a waxy secretion; especially : earwax

: a phonograph recording

— wax·like \ˈwaks-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of WAX

Middle English, from Old English weax; akin to Old High German wahs wax, Lithuanian vaškas

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with WAX

ax, fax, flax, lax, max, pax, rax, sax, Sfax, tax

²wax

verb

Definition of WAX

transitive verb

a : to treat or rub with wax usually for polishing, stiffening, or reducing friction

b : to apply wax to (as legs) as a depilatory

: to record on phonograph records

slang : to defeat decisively (as in an athletic contest)

First Known Use of WAX

14th century

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

³wax

verb

Definition of WAX

intransitive verb

a : to increase in size, numbers, strength, prosperity, or intensity

b : to grow in volume or duration

c : to grow toward full development

: to increase in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets

: to assume a (specified) characteristic, quality, or state : become <wax indignant> <wax poetic>

Origin of WAX

Middle English, from Old English weaxan; akin to Old High German wahsan to increase, Greek auxanein, Latin augēre — more at eke

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, zenith

⁴wax

noun

Definition of WAX

: increase, growth —usually used in the phrase on the wax

First Known Use of WAX

14th century

⁵wax

noun

Definition of WAX

: a fit of temper : rage

Origin of WAX

perhaps from ³wax

First Known Use: 1854

WAX Defined for Kids

¹wax

noun \ˈwaks\

Definition of WAX for Kids

: a yellowish sticky substance made by bees and used in building the honeycomb : beeswax

: a material (as paraffin) that resembles the wax made by bees (as by being soft and easily molded when warm)

²wax

verb

waxedwax·ing

Definition of WAX for Kids

: to treat or polish with wax

³wax

verb

waxedwaxing

Definition of WAX for Kids

: to grow larger or stronger <The moon waxes and then wanes.>

: become 1, grow <She waxed nostalgic at the reunion.>

Medical Dictionary

wax

noun \ˈwaks\

Medical Definition of WAX

: any of various substances resembling beeswax: as a : any of numerous substances of plant or animal origin that differ from fats in being less greasy, harder, and more brittle and in containing principally compounds of high molecular weight (as fatty acids, alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbons) b : a pliable or liquid composition used especially in uniting surfaces, excluding air, making patterns or impressions, or producing a polished surface <dental waxes>

: a waxy secretion; especially : earwax