an expression used in telecommunications to state that a signal is being received clearly
five-by-five in British English
(ˈfaɪvbaɪˈfaɪv)
adjective
US informal
excellent
a five-by-five response
excellent in British English
(ˈɛksələnt)
adjective
exceptionally good; extremely meritorious; superior
five-by-five in American English
(ˈfaivbaiˈfaiv)
adjective
facetious slang
short and fat
Word origin
[1925–30]This word is first recorded in the period 1925–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buildup, decibel, distinctive feature, recycle, reflex camera