Fax

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Fax

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

FAKS  /faks/

Definition

As a noun: an exact copy of a document made by electronic scanning and transmitted as data by telecommunications links; the machine used to send such copies. As a verb: to send a document by fax.

Plain meaning

A document transmitted over a phone line by scanning it into an analogue signal — and the machine that does it. Technology that was once revolutionary and is now largely obsolete.

Register

Neutral. Standard in legal, medical, and governmental professional contexts where it remains in use. Nostalgic or comic in casual conversation.