First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
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Origin of BOX
Middle English, from Old English, from Latin buxus, from Greek pyxos
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
3box
verb
Definition of BOX
transitive verb
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
verb
Definition of BOX
transitive verb
: 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
BOXLIKE Defined for Kids
1box
noun \ˈbäks\
Definition of BOX for Kids
: an evergreen shrub or small tree used for hedges
2box
noun
Definition of BOX for Kids
1
: a container usually having four sides, a bottom, and a cover
2
: the contents of a box <Don't eat the whole box of candy!>
3
: a four-sided shape on a piece of paper or computer screen <Put an X in the box.>
4
: an enclosed place for one or more persons <a penalty box>
3box
verb
boxedbox·ing
Definition of BOX for Kids
: to enclose in or as if in a box
4box
verb
boxedboxing
Definition of BOX for Kids
: to fight with the fists
Learn More About BOX
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