waxwork
/'wækswə:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A family visits a waxwork museum to see figures of famous historical leaders.
Definition
- Noun:
- A wax sculpture; an effigy (usually of a famous person) made of wax: A three-dimensional model or figure created from wax, often depicting a well-known individual for display.
- A twining shrub of North America: A climbing plant native to North America, scientifically known as Celastrus scandens, which bears yellow capsules containing scarlet seeds. It is also commonly called "American bittersweet."
Examples
- Noun (Wax Figure):
- The museum's most popular waxwork is a lifelike figure of the president.
- Tourists flocked to see the waxworks of historical figures.
- Noun (Plant):
- The waxwork is known for its vibrant fall berries.
- We planted a waxwork to grow along the garden fence.
Advanced Usage
- "waxworks" (plural noun): Often used to refer to a museum or exhibition featuring a collection of wax figures.
- We spent the afternoon at the famous waxworks on the pier.
Variants and Related Words
- Wax figure: A synonym for a wax sculpture or effigy.
- Wax museum: An institution that displays waxworks.
- American bittersweet: The common name for the plant.
Synonyms
- Effigy: A sculpture or model of a person (especially used for the wax figure meaning).
- Model: A three-dimensional representation.
- Creeper / Vine: A type of climbing plant (for the botanical meaning).
Related Phrases
- "as still as a waxwork": An idiom describing someone who is extremely motionless or stiff.
- The guard stood as still as a waxwork.
Notes
The word "waxwork" has two distinct and unrelated meanings: one from the domain of art/sculpture and one from botany. The context of the sentence usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
A family visits a waxwork museum to see figures of famous historical leaders.
Noun
- an effigy (usually of a famous person) made of wax
- twining shrub of North America having yellow capsules enclosing scarlet seeds