earwax

[eer-waks]

noun

a yellowish, waxlike secretion from certain glands in the external auditory canal; cerumen.

Origin of earwax

First recorded in 1350–1400, earwax is from the Middle English word erewax. See ear¹, wax¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for earwax

Historical Examples of earwax

Saliva, tears, nostrils, and earwax; the great weakness and pain in the body reminds me of cerebro-spinal meningitis.
New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers
Various
Earwax, which had been very dry, now flows from both ears, but is more free on the left side.
New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers
Various

British Dictionary definitions for earwax

earwax

noun

the nontechnical name for cerumen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for earwax

late 14c., from ear (n.1) + wax (n.).

earwax in Medicine

earwax

[îr′wăks′]

n.

A waxlike secretion of certain glands lining the canal of the external ear; cerumen.