pyx

or pix

[ piks ]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the box or vessel in which the reserved Eucharist or Host is kept.
   2. a watch-shaped container for carrying the Eucharist to the sick.
2. Also called pyx chest. a box or chest at a mint, in which specimen coins are deposited and reserved for trial by weight and assay.

pyx

/ pɪks /

noun

1. Also calledpyx chest the chest in which coins from the British mint are placed to be tested for weight, etc
2. Christianity any receptacle in which the Eucharistic Host is kept

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyx¹

1350–1400; Middle English pyxe < Latin pyxis < Greek pyxís a box, originally made of boxwood

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyx¹

C14: from Latin pyxis small box, from Greek, from puxos box tree

Example Sentences

No longer, says Sir John, do men swear devoutly by the cross and mass, or by such innocent oaths as the pyx or the mousefoot.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Eastern Cloister you see an ancient door, leading to what is now called the chapel of the Pyx.

From Project Gutenberg

In it is the Box or Pyx, containing specimen standard-pieces of all the gold and silver coins of the realm.

From Project Gutenberg

He says it was sometimes done in darning stitches for ecclesiastical purposes, for instance, for coverings for the pyx.

From Project Gutenberg

He opened the pyx, took out a little curl of paper, and spread it on the desk.

From Project Gutenberg