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

And so proponents of prenatal dex have argued that they are sparing girls from an invasive, radical treatment.

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

During this year's first half, the composite in dex of shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange dropped an average 8%.

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