Boxes

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Box \Box\, n.; pl. {Boxes} [As. box a small case or vessel with
     a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. b["u]chse; fr. L. buxus
     boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See {Pyx}, and cf. {Box} a
     tree, {Bushel}.]
     1. A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various
        shapes.


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     2. The quantity that a box contain.
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     3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
        other place of public amusement.
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              Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
                                                    --Dorset.
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              The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
        poor box; a contribution box.
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              Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
              Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
                                                    Warton.
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     5. A small country house. "A shooting box." --Wilson.
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              Tight boxes neatly sashed.            --Cowper.
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     6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.
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     7. (Mach)
        (a) An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.
        (b) A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works;
            the bucket of a lifting pump.
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     8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
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     9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
        gift. "A Christmas box." --Dickens.
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     10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.
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     11. (Zool.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
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     Note: Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box
           lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying
           substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox
           or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox.
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     {Box beam} (Arch.), a beam made of metal plates so as to have
        the form of a long box.
  
     {Box car} (Railroads), a freight car covered with a roof and
        inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.
  
     {Box chronometer}, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals,
        to preserve its proper position.
  
     {Box coat}, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a
        heavy cape to carry off the rain.
  
     {Box coupling}, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or
        other parts in machinery.
  
     {Box crab} (Zool.), a crab of the genus {Calappa}, which,
        when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box.
  
     {Box drain} (Arch.), a drain constructed with upright sides,
        and with flat top and bottom.
  
     {Box girder} (Arch.), a box beam.
  
     {Box groove} (Metal Working), a closed groove between two
        rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between
        collars on another. --R. W. Raymond.
  
     {Box metal}, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead,
        and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc.
  
     {Box plait}, a plait that doubles both to the right and the
        left.
  
     {Box turtle} or
  
     {Box tortoise} (Zool.), a land tortoise or turtle of the
        genera {Cistudo} and {Emys}; -- so named because it can
        withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by
        hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an
        exceedingly reticent person. --Emerson.
  
     {In a box}, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in
        difficulty. (Colloq.)
  
     {In the wrong box}, out of one's place; out of one's element;
        awkwardly situated. (Colloq.) --Ridley (1554)
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