box

¹box

noun \ˈbäks\

plural box or box·es

Definition of BOX

: an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus of the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite entire leaves and capsular fruits; especially : a widely cultivated shrub (B. sempervirens) used for hedges, borders, and topiary figures

Origin of BOX

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin buxus, from Greek pyxos

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with BOX

cox, fox, lox, ox, pax, phlox, pox

²box

noun

Definition of BOX

1

: a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover <a cigar box>: as

a : an open cargo container of a vehicle

b : coffin

2

: the contents of a box especially as a measure of quantity

3

: a box or boxlike container and its contents: as

a British : a gift in a box

b : an automobile transmission

c : television

d : a signaling apparatus <alarm box>

e : a usually self-contained piece of electronic equipment

f : boom box

4

: an often small space, compartment, or enclosure: as

a : an enclosed group of seats for spectators (as in a theater or stadium)

b : a driver's seat on a carriage or coach

c : a cell for holding mail

d British : box stall

e : penalty box

5

: a usually rectangular space that is frequently outlined or demarcated on a surface: as

a : any of six spaces on a baseball diamond where the batter, coaches, pitcher, and catcher stand

b : a space on a page for printed matter or in which to make a mark

6

: predicament, fix

7

: a cubical building

8

: the limitations of conventionality <trying to think outside the box>

— box·ful \-fu̇l\ noun

— box·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of BOX

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin buxis, from Greek pyxis, from pyxos box tree

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

³box

transitive verb

Definition of BOX

1

: to enclose in or as if in a box

2

: to hem in (as an opponent) —usually used with in, out, or up <boxed out the tackle>

First Known Use of BOX

15th century

⁴box

noun

Definition of BOX

: a punch or slap especially on the ear

Origin of BOX

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

⁵box

verb

Definition of BOX

transitive verb

1

: to hit (as the ears) with the hand

2

: to engage in boxing with

intransitive verb

: to fight with the fists : engage in boxing

First Known Use of BOX

1519

⁶box

transitive verb

Definition of BOX

: to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order —used figuratively in the phrase box the compass to describe making a complete reversal

Origin of BOX

probably from Spanish bojar to circumnavigate, from Catalan vogir to turn, from Latin volvere to roll — more at voluble

First Known Use: 1713

box

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In botany, an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus) of the box family (Buxaceae), best known for the ornamental and useful boxwoods. The family comprises seven genera of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, native to North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The plants bear male and female flowers, without petals, on separate plants. The leathery, evergreen leaves are simple and alternate. Fruits are one- or two-seeded capsules or drupes. Three species of the genus Buxus provide the widely grown boxwood: the common, or English, box (B. sempervirens), used for hedges, borders, and topiary figures; the Japanese box (B. microphylla); and the tall boxwood tree (B. balearica).