box Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
    • he rummaged through a box of spare parts
  2. noun private area in a theater or grandstand where a small group can watch the performance
    loge.
    • the royal box was empty
  3. noun the quantity contained in a box
    boxful.
    • he gave her a box of chocolates
  4. noun a predicament from which a skillful or graceful escape is impossible
    corner.
    • his lying got him into a tight corner
  5. noun a rectangular drawing
    • the flowchart contained many boxes
  6. noun evergreen shrubs or small trees
    boxwood.
  7. noun any one of several designated areas on a ball field where the batter or catcher or coaches are positioned
    • the umpire warned the batter to stay in the batter's box
  8. noun the driver's seat on a coach
    box seat.
    • an armed guard sat in the box with the driver
  9. noun separate partitioned area in a public place for a few people
    • the sentry stayed in his box to avoid the cold
  10. noun a blow with the hand (usually on the ear)
    • I gave him a good box on the ear
  11. verb put into a box
    package.
    • box the gift, please
  12. verb hit with the fist
    • I'll box your ears!
  13. verb engage in a boxing match

WordNet

Box noun
Etymology
As. box, L. buxus, fr. Gr. . See Box a case.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A tree or shrub, flourishing in different parts of the world. The common box (Buxus sempervirens) has two varieties, one of which, the dwaft box (B.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 noun
Etymology
As. box a small case or vessel with a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. büchse; fr. L. buxus boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See Pyx, and cf. Box a tree, Bushel.
Wordforms
plural Boxes
Definitions
  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 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. (Zoöl.) 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 transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Boxed (); present participle & verbal noun Boxing
Definitions
  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.
Box noun
Etymology
Cf.Dan. baske to slap, bask slap, blow. Cf. Pash.
Definitions
  1. A blow on the head or ear with the hand.
    A good-humored box on the ear. W. Irving.
Box intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fight with the fist; to combat with, or as with, the hand or fist; to spar.
Box transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To strike with the hand or fist, especially to strike on the ear, or on the side of the head.
Box transitive verb
Etymology
Cf.Sp. boxar, now spelt bojar.
Definitions
  1. To boxhaul.

Webster 1913