The word "foxed" is spelled with the letters f-o-x-e-d. In IPA phonetic transcription, its pronunciation is /fɑkst/. This means that the initial "f" is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, followed by a short "o" sound, and then a voiceless velar stop represented by the letter "k." The final "s" is also a voiceless consonant, and the vowel sound in between is an unrounded mid-open back vowel sound represented by the letter "a." Together, these sounds create the word "foxed."
The term "foxed" is most commonly used as an adjective to describe an object, typically a book or a piece of paper, that has been affected by the passage of time or has incurred damage due to exposure to various environmental factors. When an item is foxed, it typically shows signs of discoloration or spotting, often appearing as brown or yellowish stains or marks on its surface. This phenomenon is commonly caused by the acidic reaction between the materials used in the production of the item, such as the paper and ink, and factors like moisture, humidity, or exposure to light.
The term "foxing" found its origin in the world of bookbinding, where it was believed to be caused by a fungus that thrived in certain conditions. However, it is now understood that foxing is not solely attributed to fungal growth but can also occur due to the oxidation of metallic impurities found in the materials or the presence of various environmental pollutants.
While the damage caused by foxing is often considered undesirable in terms of aesthetics or preservation of an object's original condition, some collectors and enthusiasts find the presence of foxing to add a sense of authenticity and character to an item. Consequently, different methods have been developed to mitigate or remove foxing, ranging from light cleaning and bleaching techniques to more invasive restoration processes for severely affected items, depending on the significance and value assigned to the object.
The word "foxed" comes from the noun "fox", which has its roots in Old English "fox", and Proto-Germanic "fuhsaz". The term has been used to describe the animal, commonly known as a cunning and sly creature, for over a thousand years. The verb "to fox" can refer to the action of trapping or outwitting a fox. However, the term "foxed" also has a different origin and meaning when it comes to books. In this context, "foxed" refers to the brownish spots or blotches that appear on the pages of old books due to the oxidation of iron salts in the paper. The exact etymology of this usage is unclear, but it is thought that it may have originated from the idea that the spots resemble the coloration of a fox's fur.