Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Box
Box
(bŏks)
, Noun.
(Bot.)
A tree or shrub, flourishing in different parts of the world. The common box (
Buxus sempervirens
) has two varieties, one of which, the dwarf box (Buxus suffruticosa
), is much used for borders in gardens. The wood of the tree varieties, being very hard and smooth, is extensively used in the arts, as by turners, engravers, mathematical instrument makers, etc. Box elder
, the ash-leaved maple (
– Negundo aceroides
), of North America. Box holly
, the butcher’s broom (
– Russus aculeatus
). Box thorn
, a shrub (
– Lycium barbarum
). Box tree
, the tree variety of the common box.
Box
,Noun.
pl.
Boxes
1.
A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various shapes.
2.
The quantity that a box contain.
3.
A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or other place of public amusement.
Laughed at by the pit,
box
, galleries, nay, stage. Dorset.
The
boxes
and the pit are sovereign judges. Dryden.
4.
A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money;
as, a poor
. box
; a contribution box
Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted
Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted
box
. J. Warton.
5.
A small country house.
“A shooting box.” Wilson.
Tight
boxes
neatly sashed. Cowper.
6.
A boxlike shed for shelter;
as, a sentry
. box
7.
(Mach)
(a)
An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.
(b)
A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works; the bucket of a lifting pump.
8.
The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
9.
A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or gift.
“A Christmas box.” Dickens.
10.
(Baseball)
The square in which the pitcher stands.
11.
(Zool.)
A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
☞ Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox.
Box beam
(Arch.)
, a beam made of metal plates so as to have the form of a long box.
– Box car
(Railroads)
, a freight car covered with a roof and inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.
– Box chronometer
, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals, to preserve its proper position.
– Box coat
, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a heavy cape to carry off the rain.
– Box coupling
, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or other parts in machinery.
– Box crab
(Zool.)
, a crab of the genus
– Calappa
, which, when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box. Box drain
(Arch.)
, a drain constructed with upright sides, and with flat top and bottom.
– Box girder
(Arch.)
, a box beam.
– Box groove
(Metal Working)
, a closed groove between two rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between collars on another.
R. W. Raymond.
– Box metal
, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead, and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc. – Box plait
, a plait that doubles both to the right and the left.
– Box turtle
or Box tortoise
(Zool.)
, a land tortoise or turtle of the genera
Cistudo
and Emys
; – so named because it can withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an exceedingly reticent person. Emerson.
– In a box
, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in difficulty.
(Colloq.)
– In the wrong box
, out of one's place; out of one's element; awkwardly situated.
(Colloq.)
Ridley (1554)
Box
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Boxed
([GREEK]); p. pr. & vb. n.
Boxing
.] 1.
To inclose in a box.
2.
To furnish with boxes, as a wheel.
3.
(Arch.)
To inclose with boarding, lathing, etc., so as to bring to a required form.
To box a tree
, to make an incision or hole in a tree for the purpose of procuring the sap.
– To box off
, to divide into tight compartments.
– To box up
. (a)
To put into a box in order to save; as, he had boxed up twelve score pounds.
(b)
To confine; as, to be boxed up in narrow quarters.
Box
,Noun.
A blow on the head or ear with the hand.
A good-humored
box
on the ear. W. Irving.
Box
,Verb.
I.
To fight with the fist; to combat with, or as with, the hand or fist; to spar.
Box
,Verb.
T.
To strike with the hand or fist, especially to strike on the ear, or on the side of the head.
Box
,Verb.
T.
[Cf.Sp.
boxar
, now spelt bojar
.] To boxhaul.
To box off
(Naut.)
, to turn the head of a vessel either way by bracing the headyards aback.
– To box the compass
(Naut.)
, to name the thirty-two points of the compass in their order.
Webster 1828 Edition
Box
BOX
,Noun.
A coffer or chest, either of wood or metal. In general, the word box is used for a case of rough boards, or more slightly made than a chest,and used for the conveyance of goods. But the name is applied to cases of any size and of any materials; as a wooden box, a tin box, an iron box, a strong box.
1.
The quantity that a box contains; as a box of quicksilver; a box or rings. In some cases,the quantity called a box is fixed by custom; in others,it is uncertain, as a box of tea or sugar.2.
A certain seat in a play-house, or in any public room.3.
The case which contains the mariner's compass.4.
A money chest.5.
A tree or shrub, constituting the genus buxus, used for bordering flower-beds. The African box is the myrsine.6.
A blow on the head with the hand, or on the ear with the open hand.7.
A cylindrical hollow iron used in wheels, in which the axle-tree runs. Also, a hollow tube in a pump, closed with a valve.BOX
,Verb.
I.
BOX
,Verb.
T.
1.
To strike with the hand or fist, especially the ear or side of the head.2.
To rehearse the several points of the compass in their proper order.3.
To make a hole or cut in a tree, to procure the sap; as, to box a maple.4.
To sail round.