/wæks; wæks/
n [U]
1 (also `beeswax)
(a) soft sticky yellow substance produced by bees and used by them for making honeycombs 蜂蜡.
(b) this substance used, after being bleached and purified, for making candles, modelling, etc （从蜂蜡提纯的）蜡（用以制蜡烛、蜡像等）.
2 any of various soft sticky or oily substances that melt easily (obtained eg from petroleum), used for making candles, polish, etc （从其他物质, 如石油提炼的）蜡（用以制蜡烛、上光剂等）
*paraffin wax 石蜡
* sealing wax 封蜡
* [attrib 作定语] a wax candle 蜡烛
* wax polish 上光蜡.
3 yellow substance like wax that is secreted in the ears 耳垢; 耵聍; 耳屎.

v [Tn]
(a) polish (sth) with wax 给（某物）上蜡
*waxed floors, linoleum, wood 打过蜡的地板、油地毡、木头.
(b) coat (sth) with wax 用蜡涂（某物）
*waxed paper, thread 上过蜡的纸、线.

/wæks; wæks/
v
1 [I] (of the moon) show a large bright area that gradually increases until the moon is full （指月亮）渐圆, 渐满. Cf 参看 wane 1.
2 [La] (dated or rhet 旧或修辞) become; grow （逐渐）变成
*wax eloquent, lyrical, etc on the subject 对这个问题畅谈起来、兴趣大增等.
3 (idm 习语) ,wax and `wane increase and then decrease in strength or importance （力量或重要性）兴衰, 盛衰
*Throughout history empires have waxed and waned. 历史上各个帝国革故鼎新均有兴衰.