What "x" means before algebra

• Dylan's were a-changin'
• Foo Fighters: "___ Like These"
• "... a thousand ___ no!"
• ___ Square
• Mark seen in neckwear for periods
• ''... a thousand ___ no!''
• Sprinter's stats
• Multiplication term
• "It was the best of ___ . . . "

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
I. preposition COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES biblical times ▪ The disease dates back to biblical times . changing times (= a period of time when a lot is changing ) ▪ We live in changing times. countless times ▪ a famous film clip which has been shown ...