-x

See also: Appendix:Variations of "x"

English

Etymology 1

Suffix

-x

2. Used to represent a value that may vary: see x.

   I teach all of the 30x classes. (referring to classes numbered 301, 302, 303, etc.)

Etymology 2

The letter x is prototypically pronounced [ks] in English; it therefore serves as a convenient shorthand for the digraphs (cs, ks, etc.) or trigraphs (cks etc.) that would otherwise represent that consonant cluster.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ks/

Suffix

-x

2. (chiefly US, informal) Used to replace a /ks/ sound, especially in monosyllabic words ending in -cks or -ks.

   blax (“blacks”), clox (“clocks”), fax (“facts”), folx (“folks”), hax (“hacks”), pix (“pics”), punx (“punks”), snax (“snacks”), sox (“socks”), stix (“sticks”), tix (“tickets”), trax (“tracks”)

See also

• -z

Etymology 3

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “perhaps modelled after Rx (“prescription”) < ℞ < Latin recipe?”

Suffix

-x

2. An abbreviation marker.

   Dx (“diagnosis”), elex (“election”), Hx (“history”), pax (“passenger”), RX (“receive”), TX (“transmit”)

Etymology 4

From the use of x as a neutral or nonspecific placeholder.

Suffix

-x

2. (neologism) Used to replace a gendered suffix.

   alumnx, Chicanx, Latinx

See also

• x