boxer

noun box·er \ ˈbäk-sər \

Definition of boxer

1 : a person who engages in the sport of boxing

2 boxers plural : boxer shorts

First Known Use of boxer

1671

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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boxer

noun

Definition of boxer

: one that makes boxes or packs things in boxes

First Known Use of boxer

1871

in the meaning defined above

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boxer

noun

Definition of boxer

: any of a German breed of compact medium-sized dogs with a short usually fawn or brindled coat

Origin and Etymology of boxer

German, from English ¹boxer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1904

in the meaning defined above

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Boxer

noun Box·er \ ˈbäk-sər \

Definition of Boxer

: a member of a Chinese secret society that in 1900 attempted by violence to drive foreigners out of China and to force Chinese converts to renounce Christianity

Origin and Etymology of boxer

approximately translation of Chinese (Beijing) yìhé juǎn, literally, righteous harmonious fist

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1899

in the meaning defined above

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BOXER Defined for Kids

boxer

noun \ ˈbäk-sər \

Definition of boxer for Students

: a person who engages in the sport of boxing

boxer

noun

Definition of boxer for Students

: a compact dog of German origin that is of medium size with a square build and has a short and often tan coat

History for boxer

The word boxer, as well as the dog breed itself, is of German origin; the dog was first bred in the city of Munich in the 1890s. Scholars of word origins have assumed that the German noun Boxer is in its turn borrowed from English boxer, “a man who fights with his fists,” but its exact origin is somewhat mysterious. The boxer is not an aggressive dog, but the breed's ancestors may have been used for bullbaiting, a sport in which chained bulls were set upon by fierce dogs. There is some evidence that Boxer was a name given to such a dog.