taxis

1 of 2

noun

tax·​is ˈtak-səs How to pronounce taxis (audio)
plural taxes ˈtak-ˌsēz How to pronounce taxis (audio)
1
: reflex translational or orientational movement by a freely motile and usually simple organism in relation to a source of stimulation (such as a light or a temperature or chemical gradient)
2
: a reflex reaction involving a taxis

-taxis

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -taxes
1
: arrangement : ordering
thermotaxis
2
: physiological taxis
chemotaxis

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Taxis, borrowed from Greek táxis "drawing up in rank and file, order of battle, arrangement, order," from tag-, stem of tássein (Attic táttein) "to draw up in order (as troops, ships), post, station, place in order, prescribe, assess" + -sis -sis — more at tactic entry 2

Noun combining form

borrowed from Greek táxis "arrangement, disposition, order" — more at taxis

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of taxis was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near taxis

Cite this Entry

“Taxis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taxis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

taxis

noun
tax·​is ˈtak-səs How to pronounce taxis (audio)
plural taxes ˈtak-ˌsēz How to pronounce taxis (audio)
: a reflex movement by a freely moving organism in relation to a stimulus (as a light or a change in temperature)
also : a reflex reaction involving such movement compare tropism

Medical Definition

taxis

noun
tax·​is ˈtak-səs How to pronounce taxis (audio)
plural taxes -ˌsēz How to pronounce taxis (audio)
1
: the manual restoration of a displaced body part
specifically : the reduction of a hernia manually
2
a
: reflex translational or orientational movement by a freely motile and usually simple organism in relation to a source of stimulation (as a light or a temperature or chemical gradient)
b
: a reflex reaction involving a taxis
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