taxis

1 of 2

noun

tax·​is ˈtak-səs 

plural taxes ˈtak-ˌsēz 

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

Kids Definition

taxis

noun

tax·​is ˈtak-səs 

plural taxes ˈtak-ˌsēz 

: 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 

plural taxes -ˌsēz 

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