ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fax

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈfæks// UK //fˈæks// fax Archaic Dialect Informal

n. a machine that sends a copy of a document over a phone line. You can also use this word for the document itself after it is sent.

n. a system or device used for the electronic transmission of scanned printed material over telephone lines. Refers both to the physical apparatus and the resulting telefacsimile document.


SIMPLE

Please send the signed contract by fax.

CONTEXTUAL

The office still keeps a fax machine in the corner for communicating with older government departments.

COMPLEX

While digital signatures and encrypted email have largely replaced the technology, certain legal sectors still rely on a fax for the immediate transmission of physical documents.

Synonyms
Usage

Countable when referring to the machine or the document; uncountable when referring to the method of communication.

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