▪ I. fix-fax1
(ˈfɪksfæks)
Also 9 dial. fic-fac, fig-fag.
[See the variant pax-wax.]
The thick tendon in the neck of cattle or sheep.
[c 1280 W. de Biblesworth in Promp. Parv. 388 Et si ad le wenne (fex wex) au col derere.] c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 444 In þe nek þe fyxfax þat þow do away. [c 1500 Fr.-Eng. Glossary (Harl. MS. 219, f. 150) in Promp. Parv. 388 Le vendon, the fax wax.] 1691 Ray Creation (1714) 157 Which aponeurosis is taken notice of by the vulgar by the name of Fixfax—or Packwax. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1756) I. 317 The Fix-fax of the Neck. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Fixfax. 1878 Cumbrld. Gloss., Fic-fac, fig-fag. |
▪ II. † ˈfix-fax2 Sc. Obs. rare—1.
[Onomatopœic; the reduplication expresses hurried and repeated movements; cf. fidfad, Ger. fickfack, etc.]
‘Hurry, the middle of any business’ (Jam.).
1768 Ross Helenore ii. 326 When the're just i' the fix fax o' their din. |