wax

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English weax; akin to Old High German wahs wax, Lithuanian vaškas Date: before 12th century 1. a substance that is secreted by bees and is used by them for constructioncting the honeycomb, that is a dull yellow solid plastic when warm, and that is composed of a mixture of esters, cerotic acid, and hydrocarbons — called also beeswax 2. any of various substances resembling the wax of bees: as a. any of numerous substances of plant or animal origin that differ from fats in being less greasy, harder, and more brittle and in containing principally compounds of high molecular weight (as fatty acids, alcohols, and saturated hydrocarbons) b. a solid substance (as ozokerite or paraffin wax) of mineral origin consisting usually of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight c. a pliable or liquid composition used especially in uniting surfaces, excluding air, making patterns or impressions, or producing a polished surface 3. something likened to wax as soft, impressionable, or readily molded 4. a waxy secretion; especially earwax 5. a phonograph recording • waxlike adjective II. transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. a. to treat or rub with wax usually for polishing, stiffening, or reducing friction b. to apply wax to (as legs) as a depilatory 2. to record on phonograph records 3. slang to defeat decisively (as in an athletic contest) III. intransitive verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English weaxan; akin to Old High German wahsan to increase, Greek auxanein, Latin augēre — more at eke Date: before 12th century 1. a. to increase in size, numbers, strength, prosperity, or intensity b. to grow in volume or duration c. to grow toward full development 2. to increase in phase or intensity — used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets 3. to assume a (specified) characteristic, quality, or state ; become <

wax indignant

> <

wax poetic

> IV. noun Date: 14th century increase, growth — usually used in the phrase on the wax V. noun Etymology: perhaps from 3wax Date: 1854 a fit of temper ; rage