vaux
Extremely rare (Obsolete)Archaic, Historical, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A rare, archaic verb meaning 'to vaunt', 'to boast', or 'to brag'.
Can also be used historically to refer to the act of displaying something ostentatiously or proclaiming one's own achievements. In modern contexts, it is effectively obsolete.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term 'vaux' is an obsolete form of the verb 'vaunt'. It carries connotations of empty or excessive boasting and is only encountered in very old texts or discussions of historical language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference; both varieties consider it obsolete. Historical texts using it are equally rare in both traditions.
Connotations
Archaic and unfamiliar.
Frequency
Virtually never used in modern English in either region.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] vauxed [about/of Direct Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this obsolete form.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literary studies discussing archaic verb forms.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The knight did vaux of his victory in the tournament.
- He was known to vaux about his ancestral lands.
American English
- The pioneer would often vaux about his frontier exploits.
- They vauxed their findings to the society.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the ancient chronicle, the warrior was said to vaux before the battle.
- The word 'vaux' is an archaic term you might find in Shakespearean texts.
- The poet's use of 'vaux' instead of 'vaunt' was a deliberate archaism, aligning with the chivalric theme of the work.
- Linguistic studies note 'vaux' as a Middle English variant that fell completely out of usage by the 18th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Vauxhall' (the car/place name) and imagine someone from the past boasting about arriving there in a fancy carriage.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOASTING IS A LOUD, PUBLIC DISPLAY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'воск' (vosk - wax) which is a false cognate.
- Do not associate it with 'Vaux' as a proper name (e.g., Vauxhall).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern writing.
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'fox' (though historically plausible, /vɔːks/ is standard).
- Confusing it with the noun 'vault'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'vaux'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an obsolete historical variant of 'vaunt' (to boast). It is not used in contemporary English.
It is pronounced /vɔːks/, rhyming with 'hawks'. In some American dialects, it may sound like /vɑːks/.
Only if you are deliberately writing in an archaic style or discussing the history of the word. Otherwise, use the modern equivalent 'vaunt', 'boast', or 'brag'.
There is no semantic difference; 'vaux' is simply an older, now-obsolete spelling and form of the verb 'vaunt'.