taxis

1
[ tak-sis ]
/ ˈtæk sɪs /

noun, plural tax·es [tak-seez] /ˈtæk siz/.

arrangement or order, as in one of the physical sciences.
Biology. oriented movement of a motile organism in response to an external stimulus, as toward or away from light.
Surgery. the replacing of a displaced part, or the reducing of a hernia or the like, by manipulation without cutting.
Architecture. the adaptation to the purposes of a building of its various parts.

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Origin of taxis

1
1720–30; < New Latin < Greek táxis, equivalent to tak- (base of tássein to arrange, put in order) + -sis -sis

Words nearby taxis

taximan, taximeter, taximetrics, taxing, taxiplane, taxis, taxiway, taxman, taxo-, taxol, taxon

Definition for taxis (2 of 4)

taxis2
[ tak-seez ]
/ ˈtæk siz /

noun

a plural of taxi.

Definition for taxis (3 of 4)

taxi
[ tak-see ]
/ ˈtæk si /

noun, plural tax·is or tax·ies.

a taxicab.

verb (used without object), tax·ied, tax·i·ing or tax·y·ing.

to ride or travel in a taxicab.
(of an airplane) to move over the surface of the ground or water under its own power.

verb (used with object), tax·ied, tax·i·ing or tax·y·ing.

to cause (an airplane) to taxi.

Origin of taxi

1905–10, Americanism; short for taxicab

OTHER WORDS FROM taxi

un·tax·ied, adjective

Definition for taxis (4 of 4)

-taxis

a combining form representing taxis1 in compound words: heterotaxis.
Compare tax-, taxi-, taxo-, -taxy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to taxis

transportation, auto, van, truck, bus, convertible, limousine, wagon, car, automobile, bicycle, boat, cab, jeep, carriage, taxicab, give, move, dispatch, bring

Example sentences from the Web for taxis

British Dictionary definitions for taxis (1 of 3)

taxis
/ (ˈtæksɪs) /

noun

the movement of a cell or organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus
surgery the repositioning of a displaced organ or part by manual manipulation only

Word Origin for taxis

C18: via New Latin from Greek: arrangement, from tassein to place in order

British Dictionary definitions for taxis (2 of 3)

taxi
/ (ˈtæksɪ) /

noun plural taxis or taxies

Also called: cab, taxicab a car, usually fitted with a taximeter, that may be hired, along with its driver, to carry passengers to any specified destination

verb taxies, taxiing, taxying or taxied

to cause (an aircraft) to move along the ground under its own power, esp before takeoff and after landing, or (of an aircraft) to move along the ground in this way
(intr) to travel in a taxi

Word Origin for taxi

C20: shortened from taximeter cab

British Dictionary definitions for taxis (3 of 3)

-taxis

-taxy

n combining form

indicating movement towards or away from a specified stimulusthermotaxis
order or arrangementphyllotaxis

Derived forms of -taxis

-tactic or -taxic, adj combining form

Word Origin for -taxis

from New Latin, from Greek taxis order
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

Medical definitions for taxis (1 of 2)

taxis
[ tăk′sĭs ]

n. pl. tax•es (tăk′sēz)

The responsive movement of a free-moving organism or cell toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light.
The moving of a body part by manipulation into normal position, as after a dislocation.

Medical definitions for taxis (2 of 2)

-taxis

suff.

Order; arrangement:stereotaxis.
Responsive movement; taxis:chemotaxis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.