[wax] n [ME, fr. OE weax; akin to OHG wahs wax, Lith vaskas] (bef. 12c) 1: a substance that is secreted by bees and is used by them for constructing 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 beeswax: 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 usu. of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight c: a pliable or liquid composition used esp. 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; esp: cerumen
5: a phonograph recording -- wax.like adj
[2]wax vt (14c) 1: to treat or rub with wax usu. for polishing or stiffening
2: to record on phonograph records [3]wax vi [ME, fr. OE weaxan; akin to OHG wahsan to increase, Gk auxanein, L augere--more at eke] (bef. 12c) 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 "~ indignant" [4]wax n (14c): increase, growth--usu. used in the phrase on the wax [5]wax n [perh. fr. [3]wax] (1854): a fit of temper: rage