wax1
n.
- beeswax.
▸a white translucent material obtained by bleaching and purifying beeswax, used to make candles and polishes.
▸any similar viscous substance, especially a lipid or hydrocarbon.
- informal used in reference to gramophone records.
v.
- polish or treat with wax.
▸remove hair from (a part of the body) by applying wax and then peeling it off with the hairs.
- informal make a recording of.
Derivative
Etymology
OE wæx, weax, of Gmc origin.
wax2
v.
- (of the moon) have a progressively larger part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to increase in size.
- literary become larger or stronger.
- speak or write in the specified manner:
they waxed lyrical about the old days.
Etymology
OE weaxan, of Gmc origin.
wax3
n.
Brit. informal, dated a fit of anger.
Etymology
C19: origin uncertain; perh. from phrs such as wax angry.