wax-kernel Now dial. (see Eng. Dial. Dict.).
[Prob. f. wax n.2, either with the sense of ‘a growth’, or with reference to the growing-time of children (cf. wax-pain dial. = growing-pain); but associated with wax n.1]
A hard glandular swelling in the neck or armpit or under the jaw. Also called waxen-kernel, waxing-kernel.
| 14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wülcker 707/29 Hoc glandulum, a wax⁓kyrnylle. 1569 E. Fenton Secr. Nature 38 b, As knots in wood, waxkernels in men, or seede in herbes. 1576 Newton Lemnie's Complex. ii. iii. 110 b, Wherupon happen..some⁓time behinde the eares Impostumes, botches and wexe⁓kernelles. 1825 Jamieson, Wax-kernel. 1889 Wagstaffe Mayne's Med. Voc. (ed. 6), Wax-kernels, popular name for irritated submaxillary glands. |