English
x
see also: X
Letter
  1. The twenty-fourth letter of the basic modern Latin alphabet.
Etymology 2

The variable name comes from usage in Spain, as up to the 16th century ⟨x⟩ had the sound value /ʃ/ in Spanish -, so was used to transcribe Arabic ش used for the purpose of a variable as an abbreviation of شَيْء.

Etymology 3

The multiplication sign is an arbitrary notation developed in the early 17th century.

Etymology 4

Originates in given multiples of the speeds specified in the original CD and DVD standards, then, by reason of the actual unit being without name but just implied by the multiplication sign, reinterpreted as or used as if a unit, considering also that data transfer speed is variable, so that now, bolstered by stylization of the sign in the marketing of manufacturers, either spelling, with the multiplication sign or with the ex borrowed from the iconic mathematical variable sign, seems correct.

Pronunciation
  • (letter name) IPA: /ɛks/
    • IPA: /ks/, /ɡz/, /kʃ/, /ɡʒ/
    • IPA: /z/, /ʃ/ (word-initially)
Letter
  1. Letter of the English alphabet
  2. Forming gender-neutral or otherwise more inclusive versions of words, especially Spanish-derived words by replacing both the masculine -o and feminine -a.
    alumnx, Chicanx (Xicanx), Filipinx, Latinx, Mx, mxn, Tejanx, womxn
Adjective
Numeral
  1. (sometimes, humorous) An unknown or unspecified number of.
Conjunction
  1. (fandom) Used between the names of two characters to denote a ship, particularly in anime, manga, and video games.
  2. (music) Used in place of and in artist collaborations.
    Taska Black x DROELOE, Steve Aoki x Lauren Jauregui, etc.
Etymology 2

Abbreviations.

X
Etymology 1

From the ett - letter 𐌗 ("ex"), from the Ancient Greek - letter Χ ("chi"), created ex nihilo.

Letter
  1. The twenty-fourth letter of the basic modern Latin alphabet.
Numeral
  1. Roman numeral ten (10)
  2. (especially in the names of aristocracy) the tenth.
Etymology 2

Possibly from skull and crossbones.

Pronunciation
  • (letter name) IPA: /ɛks/
    • IPA: /ks/, /ɡz/, /kʃ/, /ɡʒ/
    • IPA: /z/, /ʃ/ (word-initially)
Etymology 1

Introduced by René Descartes in the context of mathematical notation, but has since widened to other contexts.

Numeral
  1. An unknown quantity or unknown value.
    Let x represent the forecast traffic flow in 20 years’ time.
Translations
  • French: X
  • German: x
  • Russian: X
Proper noun
  1. A placeholder for an unknown, suppressed or hypothetical name.
    The woman known until now as Witness X has been unmasked after a court ruling.
    Suppose that Mr and Mrs X have been married for many years.
  2. (anthroponymy, politics) Surname, used by those who have had their identity or heritage, including their proper ancestral names, erased or forgotten.
    Malcolm X
Letter
  1. Letter of the English alphabet
Noun
  1. Any mark that looks like that letter, such as a mark made by a person who cannot read or write in lieu of a signature.
  2. (lacrosse) The spot behind the goal.
Adjective

x (not comparable)

  1. Intersex or non-binary (in passports and identification documents).
    Coordinate terms: M, F
Etymology 3

Presumably by abbreviation of the pronunciation of ecstasy.

Noun

x (uncountable)

  1. (slang) Ecstasy, a particular street drug.
Adjective

x (not comparable)

  1. (British film certificate, dated) Suitable only for those aged 16 or (later) 18 years and over.
  2. (movie rating) Obscene.
Etymology 5

From Christ by abbreviation, orthographic borrowing from Ancient Greek Χ (Kh, letter chi), from Χριστός ("Christ").

Proper noun
  1. (informal) Christ
Etymology 6

From cross, due to the X symbol being a cross saltire.

Noun

x (plural xes)

  1. (North America) Cross, crossing.
Adjective

x

  1. (informal) Abbreviation of extreme


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