sax

[ saks ]

/ sæks /

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noun Informal.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sax

By shortening

Other definitions for sax (2 of 3)

sax²

[ saks ]

/ sæks /

noun

a short, single-edged sword of ancient Scandinavia.

Origin of sax

before 900; Middle English sexe,Old English seax, sæx; cognate with Old Norse sax (Swedish, Danish sax scissors). See saw¹

Other definitions for sax (3 of 3)

Sax.

abbreviation

Saxon.

Saxony.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sax in a sentence

Three days after that, the author of the original Rollins piece published a defense of his skewering of the sax icon.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here the sax legend offered observations “in his own words” on his life and times.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Cosby looked up, he saw that Sonny Stitt, the famed alto sax player, had joined the bandstand.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius|Mark Whitaker|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like some sinuous sax, we first hear the thoughts of Obersturmfuhrer Angelus (Golo) Thomsen.
How Hitch & Amis Discovered Evil In My House|Peter Foges|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And much of his most inspired playing, in his final years, came in the context of sax-drum duets.
What if Jazz Giant John Coltrane Had Lived?|Ted Gioia|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've seen five lairds o' Pettybaw, sax placed meenisters, an' seeven doctors.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
Terrible was the clang of the strong sword Ecke-sax on the helmets of the Nibelungs.
Theodoric the Goth|Thomas Hodgkin
He's as gleg as M'Keachen's elshin, that ran through sax plies o' bend-leather into the king's heel.
The Proverbs of Scotland|Alexander Hislop
Troth, I am no the same man noo that I was sax-and-forty years agane, and sorry I am to say it.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
Where will ye find the Small Scotch that's fu' sax inches in height?
The Haunts of Old Cockaigne|Alex Thompson

British Dictionary definitions for sax (1 of 2)

sax¹

/ (sæks) /

noun

a tool resembling a small axe, used for cutting roofing slate

Word Origin for sax

Old English seax knife; related to Old Saxon sahs, Old Norse sax

British Dictionary definitions for sax (2 of 2)

sax²

/ (sæks) /

noun

informal short for saxophone

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