What does kex mean?
Kex denotes a traditional basket woven from flexible strips of plant material, especially willow, hazel, or hemp. In a related sense, it can mean the dry stalk from which such strips are taken, particularly a stalk of hemp. An older, now obsolete dialect use refers to sour milk or curds. The word is mainly encountered in British regional speech, descriptions of historic crafts, and accounts of rural life rather than ordinary modern conversation. It evokes basketry, agricultural materials, and handmade household objects. The term is useful because it names both the material and, in its most familiar sense, the finished vessel made from it. A kex basket is sturdy yet lightweight and traditionally suited to carrying produce, food, or small household goods. Although more natural today in historical or craft-related contexts, kex preserves a clear connection between a plant's fibrous stalk and the useful objects traditionally made by weaving it.
nounA basket made from strips of pliant wood such as willow or hazel; also, in regional use, a dry plant stalk, especially hemp, used for making baskets.
- A basket made from flexible strips of wood or other plant material.
- A dry plant stalk, especially hemp, used in basketry.
- Obsolete dialectally, sour milk or curds.
"She lined the old kex basket with a linen cloth before setting it on the table."
"The market seller packed the peaches into a kex basket lined with cool leaves."
"Local weavers use dried kex to produce sturdy baskets and containers."
The regular plural is kexes, though the word is uncommon in contemporary general usage.
"Several woven kexes were displayed at the country fair."
Before plastic baskets, kex was a reminder that some of the finest containers were woven from the same humble stalks that once helped make rope.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kex come from?
The word is recorded in Middle English, but its remote origin is uncertain. It is now chiefly associated with British regional, historical, and craft-related usage, and the older sense for sour milk or curds belongs to obsolete dialect English.
How kex is actually used
The word is now chiefly historical, regional, or associated with traditional basketmaking. The sense meaning sour milk or curds is obsolete and restricted to older dialect usage.