box

box¹ / bäks/ • n. 1. a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid: a cereal box. ∎  the contents of such a container: she ate a whole box of chocolates that night. ∎  inf. a casing containing a computer. ∎ inf. a coffin: I always thought I'd be in a box when I finally left here. ∎ vulgar slang a woman's vagina. 2. an area or space enclosed within straight lines, in particular: ∎  an area on a printed page that is to be filled in or that is set off by a border: a picture of Sandy was in the upper right-hand box. ∎  an area on a computer screen for user input or displaying information. ∎  (the box) (also the batter's box) Baseball the rectangular area occupied by the batter. ∎  Baseball the rectangular area behind home plate for the catcher ( catcher’s box), or those near first and third bases, in foul territory, for each base coach ( coach’s box). ∎  (the box) Soccer the penalty area: he curled in a shot from the edge of the box. 3. a small structure or building for a specific purpose, in particular: ∎  a separate section or enclosed area within a larger building, esp. one reserved for a group of people in a theater or sports ground or for witnesses or the jury in a law court: a box at the opera the jury was now in the box. 4. a protective casing for a piece of a mechanism. 5. a mailbox at a post office, newspaper office, or other facility where a person may arrange to receive correspondence: write to me care of PO Box 112. • v. [tr.] [often as adj.] (boxed) put in or provide with a box: the books are sold as a boxed set Muriel boxed up all of Christopher's clothes. ∎  (box someone in) restrict the ability of (someone) to move freely: a van had double-parked alongside her car and totally boxed her in. PHRASES: in a box restricted or limited: he will find himself in a box on U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union. in-a-box (or in-the-box) packaged simply, cheaply, and conveniently: the Butler-in-a-Box is the gadget of your dreams. (right) out of the box describing a newly purchased product that works immediately, without any special assembly or training: a completely preconfigured system you can quickly install right out of the box. think outside (of) the box think in an original or creative way.DERIVATIVES: box·ful n. box·like adj. box² • v. [intr.] fight an opponent using one's fists; compete in the sport of boxing: he boxed for England [tr.] he had to box Bennett for the title. • n. [in sing.] a slap with the hand on the side of a person's head given as a punishment or in anger: she gave him a box on the ear. PHRASES: box someone's ears slap someone on the side of the head as a punishment or in anger. box³ • n. 1. (also box tree) a slow-growing European evergreen shrub or small tree (Buxus sempervirens, family Buxaceae) with glossy dark green leaves, often grown as a hedge and for topiary. ∎  (also boxwood) the hard, heavy wood of this tree, formerly widely used for engraving and for musical instruments. 2. any of a number of trees that have similar wood or foliage, including several Australian eucalyptus trees. box⁴ • v. (in phrase box the compass) chiefly Naut. 1. recite the compass points in correct order. 2. make a complete change of direction: by now the breeze had boxed the compass.