Etymology

-x

Today it means: Used to represent a value that may vary: see x. Full definition →

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-x · suffix1

The letter x is prototypically pronounced [ks] in English; it therefore serves as a convenient shorthand for the digraphs (cs, ks, etc.) or trigraphs (cks etc.) that would otherwise represent that consonant cluster.

-x · suffix2

From the use of x as a neutral or nonspecific placeholder.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.