wax
1[ waks ]
/ wæks /
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noun
verb (used with object)
adjective
pertaining to, made of, or resembling wax: a wax candle; a wax doll.
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Idioms about wax
- the entire or overall plan, concept, action, result, or the like: The first ten minutes of the meeting will determine the whole ball of wax.
- everything of a similar or related nature: They sold us skis, boots, bindings, poles—the whole ball of wax.
whole ball of wax, Slang.
Origin of wax
1First recorded before 900; Middle English noun wax(e), wex(e), Old English weax, wex; cognate with Dutch was, German Wachs, Old Norse vax; the verb is derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM wax
wax·a·ble, adjectivewaxlike, adjectiveOther definitions for wax (2 of 3)
wax2
[ waks ]
/ wæks /
verb (used without object), waxed; waxed or (Literary) wax·en; wax·ing.
to increase in extent, quantity, intensity, power, etc.: Discord waxed at an alarming rate.
(of the moon) to increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full moon.Compare wane (def. 4).
to grow or become: He waxed angry at the insinuation.
Origin of wax
2First recorded before 900; Middle English waxen, wax(e), waxien, Old English weaxan, weacsan, weahsan; cognate with German wachsen; akin to waist
Other definitions for wax (3 of 3)
Origin of wax
3First recorded in 1850–55; perhaps special use of wax2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use wax in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for wax (1 of 3)
wax1
/ (wæks) /
noun
verb
(tr) to coat, polish, etc, with wax
to remove (body hair) by means of a wax treatment
Derived forms of wax
waxer, nounwaxlike, adjectiveWord Origin for wax
Old English weax, related to Old Saxon, Old High German wahs, Old Norse vax
British Dictionary definitions for wax (2 of 3)
wax2
/ (wæks) /
verb (intr)
to become larger, more powerful, etc
(of the moon) to show a gradually increasing portion of illuminated surface, between new moon and full moonCompare wane (def. 1)
archaic to become as specifiedthe time waxed late
Word Origin for wax
Old English weaxan; related to Old Frisian waxa, Old Saxon, Old High German wahsan, Gothic wahsjan
British Dictionary definitions for wax (3 of 3)
wax3
/ (wæks) /
noun
British informal, old-fashioned a fit of rage or temperhe's in a wax today
Word Origin for wax
of obscure origin; perhaps from the phrase to wax angry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for wax
wax
[ wăks ]
Any of various solid, usually yellow substances that melt or soften easily when heated. They are similar to fats, but are less greasy and more brittle. Naturally occurring animal and plant waxes are esters of saturated fatty acids and alcohols of high molecular weight, including sterols. Waxes are also manufactured synthetically from petroleum, and are used to make polishers, lubricants, coatings, waterproofing, crayons, candles, and many other products.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with wax
wax
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.