wax
Cross references:
1. beeswax
1. wax \'waks\ \'wak-.sli-k\ n [ME, fr. OE weax; akin to OHG wahs wax, Lith
vashachek>k]as 1: a substance secreted by bees and used by them for
constructing the honey comb that is a dull yellow solid plastic when warm
and composed of a mixture of esters, cerotic acid, and hydrocarbons 2: any
of various substances resembling beeswax : as 2a: any of numerous
substances of plant or animal origin that differ from f ats in being less
greasy, harder, and more brittle and in containing principally esters of
higher fatty acids and higher alcohols, free higher acids and alcohols, and
saturated hydrocarbons 2b: a solid substance (as ozokerite or paraffin wax)
of mineral origin cons isting usu. of higher hydrocarbons 2c: a pliable or
liquid composition used esp. in uniting surfaces excluding air, making
patterns or impressions, or producing a polished surface 2d: a resinous
preparation used by shoemakers for rubbing thread 3: something likened to
wax as soft, impressionable, or readily molded 4: a waxy secretion; esp :
CERUMEN 5: a phonograph recording - wax.like aj
2. wax vt 1: to treat or rub with wax usu. for polishing or stiffening 2:
to record on phonograph records
3. wax vi [ME waxen, fr. OE weaxan; akin to OHG wahsan to increase,
Gk]auxanein, L auge-re - more at EKE 1a: to increase in size, numbers,
strength, prosperity, or intensity 1b: to grow in volume or duration 1c:
to grow toward full development 2: to increase in phase or intensity -
used chiefly of the moon, other s atellites, and inferior planets 3: to
assume a (specified) characteristic, quality, or state : BECOME {~
indignant}
4. wax n [ME, fr. waxen to increase, grow] 1: INCREASE, GROWTH 2: the
period from the new moon to the full phase of the moon
5. wax n [perh. fr. 3wax] : a fit of temper : RAGE
Webster's English Dictionary