rex

1 of 2

noun

plural rexes or rex
: an animal (such as a domestic rabbit or cat) showing a genetic recessive variation in which the guard hairs are very short, sparse, or entirely lacking compare cornish rex, devon rex

Illustration of rex

Illustration of rex

rex

2 of 2

Latin noun

: king

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of French castorrex, castorex, a variety of rabbit, perhaps from Latin castor beaver + rex king — more at castor, royal

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rex was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near rex

Cite this Entry

“Rex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rex. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!