taxis

1
[ tak-sis ]
See synonyms for: taxistaxes on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural tax·es [tak-seez]. /ˈtæk siz/.
  1. arrangement or order, as in one of the physical sciences.

  2. Biology. oriented movement of a motile organism in response to an external stimulus, as toward or away from light.

  1. Surgery. the replacing of a displaced part, or the reducing of a hernia or the like, by manipulation without cutting.

  2. Architecture. the adaptation to the purposes of a building of its various parts.

Origin of taxis

1
1720–30; <New Latin <Greek táxis, equivalent to tak- (base of tássein to arrange, put in order) + -sis-sis

Other definitions for taxis (2 of 3)

taxis2
[ tak-seez ]

noun
  1. a plural of taxi.

Other definitions for -taxis (3 of 3)

-taxis

  1. a combining form representing taxis1 in compound words: heterotaxis.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use taxis in a sentence

  • Four empty taxis passed down the sunny magnificence of Fifth Avenue and ignored Mr. Sachs's urgent waving.

    The Regent | E. Arnold Bennett
  • The next morning, as if by magic, hundreds of taxis had sprung into existence, though they were much in demand.

    A Traveller in War-Time | Winston Churchill
  • Then the first bombing plane, bearing the flight leader, “taxis” across the field, appearing to stagger under its great burden.

    The Romance of Aircraft | Lawrence Yard Smith
  • For the few minutes before my eyes closed I pictured London, the taxis, the gay parties, the mystery of lights.

    Carry On | Coningsby Dawson
  • It was a trifle hard after over-eating and undersleeping myself for nine days, and riding everywhere with my feet up in taxis.

    Carry On | Coningsby Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for taxis (1 of 2)

taxis

/ (ˈtæksɪs) /


noun
  1. the movement of a cell or organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus

  2. surgery the repositioning of a displaced organ or part by manual manipulation only

Origin of taxis

1
C18: via New Latin from Greek: arrangement, from tassein to place in order

British Dictionary definitions for -taxis (2 of 2)

-taxis

n combining form
  1. indicating movement towards or away from a specified stimulus: thermotaxis

  2. order or arrangement: phyllotaxis

Origin of -taxis

2
from New Latin, from Greek taxis order

Derived forms of -taxis

  • -tactic or -taxic, adj combining form

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012