fax

fax · noun, verb

imported

Definitions

noun, verb

  1. 1.

    An exact copy of a document made by electronic scanning and transmitted by telecommunications links.

  2. 2.

    To send a document by fax machine.

  3. 3.

    A machine for sending and receiving such documents.

  4. 4.

    A system for transmitting documents electronically.

Forms

plural: faxes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fax number — The telephone number used to receive faxes
  • •
    fax machine — The device used to send and receive faxes

Related words

See also: document, email, facsimile
Synonyms: facsimile, telecopy

Etymology

Shortened form of facsimile, from Latin fac simile ("make similar"), from facere ("to make") + simile ("like"). The technology was developed in the mid-20th century but became widely used in offices in the 1980s.