taxis

¹

[ tak-sis ]

noun

, plural tax·es [tak, -seez].

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.
3. Surgery. the replacing of a displaced part, or the reducing of a hernia or the like, by manipulation without cutting.
4. Architecture. the adaptation to the purposes of a building of its various parts.

taxis

²

[ tak-seez ]

noun

1. a plural of taxi.

-taxis

³

1. a combining form representing taxis1 in compound words:

   heterotaxis.

taxis

¹

/ 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

-taxis

²

combining form

1. indicating movement towards or away from a specified stimulus

   thermotaxis

2. order or arrangement

   phyllotaxis

Derived Forms

• -tactic, combining_form:in_adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxis¹

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

Origin of taxis²

from New Latin, from Greek taxis order

Example Sentences

The mega-rich are using private jets like taxis, warn climate scientists who tracked flights to calculate the planet-warming gases they release.

From BBC

Sarah Champion has written to Haigh asking for new laws to ensure taxis must be licensed "in the local authority area in which they routinely operate".

From BBC

Businesses like hotels, bars and taxis in other towns and cities miss out on income when bands don't visit, and overseas acts often don't hire British crews for shorter UK tours, Mr Collins said.

From BBC

Even without drivers, autonomous taxis require expensive maintenance such as charging, cleaning and insurance, which eat into profits.

From Los Angeles Times

"We spent all morning going around Singapore, spending money on taxis - but I told her 'this is something I have to do'. Every act is like a grain of sand," he added.

From BBC