dex

American  

[deks] / dɛks /

noun

Pharmacology Informal.

1. short for dextromethorphan.

2. short for Dexedrine or dextroamphetamine.

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verb (used without object)

Slang.

dexed, dexing

1. to take dangerously large amounts of over-the-counter cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan in order to get high.

Etymology

Origin of dex

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

She had become known as "dex finger" as nearly every patient she enrolled onto the trial ended up getting dexamethasone.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2021

When pregnant lab animals take dex, their offspring may be at increased risk for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, impaired memory and learning, and abnormal responses to stress.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2012

Women must start taking dex when they’re only around 6 weeks pregnant, since this is when male and female genitals begin to develop.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2012

That represents a drop from 1974's punishing year-end in dex of 16.6, but still marks a stark in crease from 1960, when it was 7.1.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now she flew in a beautiful blur of span- dex and sequins, a girlish ninja star arcing through the air.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray