subs. (common).—A rage, a passion, a TEAR (q.v.); also WAXINESS = vexation, and WAXY = angry: cf. Lowland Scotch wex = vex.

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  c. 1500.  Lancelot of the Lak, 156.

        And mak thi self als mery as yhoue may,
It helpith not thus fore to WEX alway.

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  1648.  BELLENDEN, Letter, 9 July [Hamilton Papers, 229]. They wowld place such persons in inferior commandis as ar to deboch the affections of the salers, from which being discouerid be him makes him the moir WAXY.

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  1853.  DICKENS, Bleak House, xxiv. It would cheer him up more than anything if I could make him a little WAXY with me: he’s welcome to drop into me right and left, if he likes.

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  1861.  H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, v. She’s in a terrible WAX, but she’ll be all right by the time he comes back from his holidays.

5

  Verb (American).—To overcome, surmount a difficulty, get the better of: by stratagem or NOUS (q.v.).

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  1876.  New York Herald, 16 March. The trader at Fort Lincoln, fearing removal, Orville Grant’s clerk at Standing Rock advised him to tell Grant, ‘he can WAX you.’

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  A LAD (or MAN) OF WAX, subs. phr. (old).—A smart lad, a clever man.

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  1595.  SHAKESPEARE, Romeo and Juliet, i. 3. A man of WAX.

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  CLOSE AS WAX, phr. (common).—As miserly, niggardly, or secretive as may be.

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  1863.  C. READE, Hard Cash, I. 231. Then commenced a long and steady struggle, conducted with a Spartan dignity and self-command, and a countenance as CLOSE AS WAX.

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  1898.  N. GOULD, Landed at Last, v. Not much chance of drawing Sim Sharples when he’s alone. He’s AS CLOSE AS WAX, and so is Sam Rogers.

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  NEAT AS WAX. See NEAT.

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