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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. |
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Cite this article
"box." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "box." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-box.html "box." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-box.html |
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box
box common name for the Buxaceae, a family of trees and shrubs with leathery evergreen leaves, native to the tropics and subtropics of the Old World and to Central America. The boxes (genus Buxus ) have been widely introduced to other regions for use as hedge plants and for their wood. Boxwood is close-grained, strong and hard, and polishes well; it is valued for wood engraving, carving, and turning, and for making musical instruments. Pachysandra procumbens, a native American species of an otherwise Asian genus, is a low, creeping herb found in the S Appalachians and cultivated elsewhere as a ground cover. The box family is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Euphorbiales. |
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Cite this article
"box." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "box." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-box.html "box." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-box.html |
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box
box Evergreen tree or shrub found in tropical and temperate regions in Europe, North America and w Asia. The shrub is popular for topiary, and box wood is used for musical instruments. The 100 species include English or common Buxus sempervirens and larger Buxus balearica that grows to 24m (80ft). Family Buxaceae.
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Cite this article
"box." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "box." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-box.html "box." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-box.html |
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box
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box3.html T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box3.html |
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box
box.
1. Small unpretentious rural house, usually for temporary use, such as a shooting-box for sportsmen. 2. Compartment, enclosed at the sides and back, with seats for a small number of people in a theatre. 3. Box-pew. |
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "box." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "box." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-box.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "box." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-box.html |
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box
box A short DNA sequence that performs a regulatory function with respect to a gene. Box sequences are usually under a high functional constraint.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "box." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "box." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-box.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "box." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-box.html |
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box
box2 receptacle of wood, etc. Late OE. box, prob. — *buxem, for late L. buxidem, acc. of buxis, var. of L. pyxis (see PYX).
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box1.html T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box1.html |
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box
box v. (in phrase box the compass)
1. recite the compass points in correct order. 2. make a complete change of direction. |
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Cite this article
"box." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "box." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-box.html "box." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-box.html |
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box
box3 blow, slap (now usu. on the ear). XIV. of unkn. orig.
Hence box vb. XVI; whence boxer pugilist XVIII. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box2.html T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box2.html |
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Box
Box, ‘(place at) the box-tree’, OE box: Box Glos. la Boxe 1260. Box Wilts. Bocza 1144.
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A. D. MILLS. "Box." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. A. D. MILLS. "Box." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Box.html A. D. MILLS. "Box." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Box.html |
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box
box1 evergreen tree Buxus. OE. box — L. buxus — Gr. púxos.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box.html T. F. HOAD. "box." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-box.html |
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box
box
•box, cox, detox, fox, Foxe, Knox, lox, outfox, ox, phlox, pox, Stocks
•matchbox
•bandbox, sandbox
•hatbox • haybox • mailbox • brainbox
•paintbox • squeezebox • pillbox
•icebox • strongbox • horsebox
•saltbox • soundbox • soapbox
•shadow-box • shoebox • jukebox
•toolbox • snuffbox • gearbox • firebox
•tinderbox • thunderbox • pillar box
•pepperbox • chatterbox • letter box
•workbox • paradox • heterodox
•orthodox • dementia praecox
•Wilcox • backblocks • dreadlocks
•Goldilocks • Magnox • equinox
•chickenpox • smallpox • cowpox
•aurochs • xerox • volvox
•Faux, Fawkes
•Boaks, coax, hoax, Oaks, stokes
•yoicks
•Fuchs, gadzooks, Jukes
•Brooks, Crookes
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Cite this article
"box." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "box." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-box.html "box." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-box.html |
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