Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A small flat tablet adorned with a sacred image that worshipers kiss when offered the kiss of peace.
  • noun The kiss of peace.
  • noun A time of wide-ranging stability when there is only a single dominant power. Used with a Latinized name.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In the Roman Catholic Church, a small tablet ornamented with a representation of some Christian scene or symbol.
  • noun The kiss of peace. See kiss.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Eccl.) The kiss of peace; also, the embrace in the sanctuary now substituted for it at High Mass in Roman Catholic churches.
  • noun (R. C. Ch.) A tablet or board, on which is a representation of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or of some saint and which, in the Mass, was kissed by the priest and then by the people, in mediæval times; an osculatory. It is still used in communities, confraternities, etc.
  • noun Eng. Schoolboy Slang Friendship, or a friend; -- esp. in the phrases to make pax with, to make friends with, to be good pax, to be good friends; also, truce; -- used esp. interjectionally.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A painted, stamped or carved tablet with a representation of Christ or the Virgin Mary, which was kissed by the priest during the Mass ("kiss of peace") and then passed to other officiating clergy and the congregation to be kissed. See also osculatory.
  • noun informal, usually plural passenger; passengers
  • interjection A cry for peace or truce in children's games.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (Roman Catholic Church) a greeting signifying Christian love for those assisting at the Eucharist

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Medieval Latin pāx, from Latin, peace; see pag- in Indo-European roots. Sense 2, on the model of Late Latin pāx (Rōmāna), the Roman peace, state of security obtaining under Roman rule, alteration of Latin (Rōmāna) pāx.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Latin pax peace. See peace.

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Examples

  • Center, otherwise known as a "pax" terminal pax is short for passengers.

    NYT > Home Page By JOHN GOODGE 2010

  • The X and P combined are similar to the Latin word pax, meaning peace.

    A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art Gertrude Grace Sill 1975

  • The X and P combined are similar to the Latin word pax, meaning peace.

    A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art Gertrude Grace Sill 1975

  • Suddenly Anthea said, 'Oh! let it be "pax" -- poor little Pussy -- you know she's the youngest.'

    The Story of the Amulet 1891

  • He called pax almost straightaway, the little dung piece, but I kept into him until the Pershron twins pulled me off, by which time his face was well colored and pushed out of shape, the punishment I’d given him.

    Zombies vs. Unicorns Justine Larbalestier 2010

  • The only other picture of his that need be mentioned here is a predella in a church near Urbino, relating to the theft of a pax, which is attributed to him by many critics.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 15: Tournely-Zwirner 1840-1916 1913

  • The pax was a small tablet of silver or other precious metal, used for giving the kiss of peace during High Mass.

    English Villages 1892

  • That is of course assuming Britain's government isn't merely allowed the pretense of control providing they remain wedded to an increasingly bellicose 'pax' americana.

    Republicans play to win on healthcare repeal | Sahil Kapur 2011

  • Although interestingly, wikipedia states that "pax yada yada" refers to the empire at it's prime and ergo at a period of peace and minimal military expansion hence the "pax" I suppose.

    "Hey, look! It's my giant underpants!" Ann Althouse 2008

  • Dev's don't need to directly interfere with the politics, but can easily change the playing field in favor of invaders or defenders to get more or less "pax" if they so choose.

    Scarcely rare 2007

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