wax

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U] 1 a solid substance that is made from BEESWAX or from various fats and oils and used for making candles, polish, models, etc. It becomes soft when it is heated: styling wax for the hair * floor wax * wax crayons * wax polish seealsoPARAFFINWAX, SEALINGWAX 2 a soft sticky yellowish substance that is found in your ears verb 1 [VN] to polish sth with wax 2 [VN] [usuallypassive] to cover sth with wax: waxed paper * a waxed jacket 3 [VN] [oftenpassive] to remove hair from a part of the body using wax: to wax your legs / to have your legs waxed 4 [V] (of the moon) to seem to get gradually bigger until its full form is visible OPPWANE 5 [V-ADJ] ~ lyrical, eloquent, sentimental, etc. (written) to become LYRICAL, etc. when speaking or writing: He waxed lyrical on the food at the new restaurant. IDIOMS wax and wane (literary) to increase then decrease in strength, importance, etc. over a period of time