Chafewax

/ˈtʃeɪfwæks/ noun

Definition

A heating device used to warm and soften wax, traditionally used by scribes and document-makers in medieval times.

Etymology

Compound of chafer (warmer) and wax. Used specifically in scriptoria and legal offices where wax seals needed to be softened for application to official documents.

Kelly Says

Before signatures and printed documents, heating wax properly was such an important skill that there was a whole specialized heating tool for it—scribes took their work seriously!

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