What is the full form of “fax”? (what is fax short for?)
Last Update: August 9th, 2021
Fax is the short form of “fax machine,” “facsimile,” “telefax,” and “telefacsimile.” It is a printed copy of a document or picture sent over a phone line.
“Fax” is a shortened form of”Fax Machine”
Many people use “fax” as a shortened form of “fax machine.”
“Fax” can be:
- The act of sending a fax document (e.g. “send the fax to the office”).
- The fax document itself (e.g. “pass me the fax that came in”).
- A physical fax machine (e.g. “it’s over there by the fax”).
“Fax machine” refers only to the physical fax machine.
“Facsimile” is the full form of “fax”
The original definition of “facsimile” is “an exact copy or replica.”
The clipping of “facsimile” to “fax” is a simple transition as the “c” in “facsimile” is pronounced like a “k.”
Common definitions of “facsimile” include a noun (an exact copy of a book, painting, or manuscript) and a verb (to reproduce in facsimile).
“Telefax” and “Fax” are a shortened form of “Telefacsimile”
The prefix “tele-” means “over a distance.” Words such as “telephone” (sound over a distance) and “television” (vision over a distance) use it.
Other “tele-” words include “telautographs” (signatures over a distance) and “telephotographs” (photographs over a distance).
“Telefax” and “Telefacsimile” have been shortened to “fax.” This shortening is part of a trend in language, as seen with other words such as “telephone”to “phone” and “television” to “tv.”
“Telefax” is a full form of “fax”
The word “telefax” appears to have entered language very soon after “telefacsimile.”
Like “facsimile,” the shortening likely happened as the “c” in “facsimile” is pronounced like a “k.”
“Telefax” appears to be a shortened form of “telefacsimile” that kept the “tele” but shortened “facsimile.”
Backronyms
Many acronyms have been attributed to fax. Most of them incorrectly involve Xerox. Acronyms such as “far away Xerox” or “facsimile automated Xerox” are likely “backronyms,” or acronyms applied to an existing word after it had already entered the language.
Sources and more resources
- Wiktionary entries on fax, fax machine, facsimile, telefacsimile, and telefax – Dictionary definitions on the terms used on this page. Includes spellings, pronunciations, etymologies, and definitions.
- Wikipedia – Fax – Wikipedia’s entry on faxing. Includes a history of the technology and some alternate terms.
- Google ngram viewer – see the history of use of different terms in the books of a language.
- Merriam-Webster entries on fax, facsimile, telefacsimile, and telefax – more dictionary definitions for the terms on this page.
- Adams on Contract Drafting – A Gripping Issue of Notice-Provision Terminology: “Telecopier,” “Facsimile,” or “Fax”? – An article about the proper term to use in a legal document.
- Quora – What is the full form of “FAX”? – A Q&A entry on the full form of fax. Some quotations from Wikipedia and speculation on the meaning of the term.