English · Word Candidate

lex

/lɛks/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: lexes · lexing · lexed · leges

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To perform lexical analysis; to convert a character stream to a token stream as a preliminary to parsing.

Verb

Examples

Once this is done, each processor parses and lexes its own documents, using conventional programming techniques.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A specific inflected form of a word; compare lexeme.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A Roman or Latin law (particularly in ancient Rome or in medieval Europe).

Noun

Examples

The 19th and 20th lines of the lex on the tablet (which decree the repeal of the rectigalia) seem to be conclusive in favour of this and against Rudorff's earlier theory.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “lex” mean?

To perform lexical analysis; to convert a character stream to a token stream as a preliminary to parsing.

Is “lex” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.