pyx

Etymology

Latin pyxis, from late Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís, “box”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɪks/
• Rhymes: -ɪks
• Homophones: picks, pix

Noun

pyx (plural pyxes)

1. A small, usually round container used to hold the consecrated bread of the Eucharist, especially used to bring communion to the sick, or others who are unable to attend Mass.
   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses

     And at the same instant perhaps a priest round the corner is elevating it. Dringdring! And two streets off another locking it into a pyx. Dringadring! And in a ladychapel another taking housel all to his own cheek. Dringdring!

2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Mushet to this entry?)

3. (nautical) The box in which the compass is suspended; the binnacle.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Weale to this entry?)

4. (anatomy) Pyxis.

Verb

pyx (third-person singular simple present pyxes, present participle pyxing, simple past and past participle pyxed)

1. (transitive) To test (sample coins) for the weight and fineness of metal before they are sent from the mint.