Definition

1. Adjective:

   • (Of a moon) Increasing in illumination: Describes the phase of the moon when its visible, sunlit portion is growing larger, moving from a new moon towards a full moon.

2. Noun:

   • The process of increasing in size, intensity, or magnitude: A gradual growth or expansion.
   • The act or process of applying wax: The action of coating, polishing, or treating a surface with wax.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • We observed the waxing crescent moon in the evening sky.
  • The waxing gibbous phase is very bright.

• Noun (increase):

  • The waxing of the tide was evident as the water crept up the shore.
  • There has been a noticeable waxing of public interest in the topic.

• Noun (application of wax):

  • The waxing of the car took about an hour.
  • A good floor waxing protects the wood.

Advanced Usage

• "on the wax" (archaic/poetic): In a state of increasing or growing.

  • The empire's power was on the wax.

• "waxing and waning": A common paired phrase describing cyclical increase and decrease.

  • The waxing and waning of the moon is a predictable cycle.

Variants and Related Words

• Wax (verb): To increase in size or intensity; to apply wax to something.

  • The moon waxes for about two weeks.
  • She waxes her skis for better speed.

• Wax (noun): The substance used for coating or polishing.

• Wane (verb): The opposite process; to decrease in size or intensity.

Synonyms

• Adjective (moon): Growing, increasing.
• Noun (increase): Growth, expansion, enlargement, rise.
• Noun (application): Polishing, buffing, coating.

Related Phrases

• Waxing lyrical/eloquent: To become increasingly enthusiastic and expressive in speech.

  • He started waxing lyrical about his favorite film director.

• Waxing poetic: Similar to "waxing lyrical," meaning to speak in a poetically expressive manner.

Adjective

1. (of the moon) pertaining to the period during which the visible surface of the moon increases
   • the waxing moon passes from new to full

Noun

1. a gradual increase in magnitude or extent
   • the waxing of the moon
2. the application of wax to a surface