1a. A container typically constructed with four sides perpendicular to the base and often having a lid or cover. b. The amount or quantity that such a container can hold. 2. A square or rectangle: Draw a box around your answer.3a. A separated compartment in a public place of entertainment, such as a theater or stadium, for the accommodation of a small group. b. An area of a public place, such as a courtroom or stadium, marked off and restricted for use by persons performing a specific function: a jury box.4. A small structure serving as a shelter: a sentry box.5.Chiefly British A small country house used as a sporting lodge: a shooting box.6. A box stall. 7. The raised seat for the driver of a coach or carriage. 8.Baseballa. An area on a diamond marked by lines designating where the batter may stand. b. Any of various designated areas for other team members, such as the pitcher, catcher, and coaches. 9.Sports A penalty box. 10.Printing Featured printed matter enclosed by hairlines, a border, or white space and placed within or between text columns. 11. A hollow made in the side of a tree for the collection of sap. 12. A post office box. 13a. An in box. b. An out box. 14a. An insulating, enclosing, or protective casing or part in a machine. b. A signaling device enclosed in a casing: an alarm box.15. A cable box. 16a.Informal A television. b. A very large portable radio. 17.Chiefly British A gift or gratuity, especially one given at Christmas. 18. An awkward or perplexing situation; a predicament. 19.Vulgar Slang The vulva and the vagina.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: boxed, box·ing, box·es 1. To pack in a box. 2. To confine in or as if in a box. 3. To border or enclose with or as if with a box: Key sections of the report are boxed off.4. To provide a housing or case for (a machine part, for example). 5a. To limit the activity or influence of by or as if by creating a restrictive structure or outlining a territory: The legislature was boxed in by its earlier decisions.b.Sports To block (a competitor or opponent) from advancing, especially to hinder an opponent from getting a rebound in basketball by placing oneself between the opponent and the basket: was boxed out by the tallest player on the team; was boxed in on the homestretch.6.Nautical To boxhaul. 7. To cut a hole in (a tree) for the collection of sap. 8. To blend (paint) by pouring alternately between two containers. 9. To change the shape of (a structure, such as a wall) by applying lath and plaster or boarding.
IDIOMS:
box the compass1. To name the 32 points of the compass in proper order. 2. To make a complete revolution or reversal. in a boxInformal In a very difficult or restrictive situation.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin buxis, from Greek puxis, from puxos, box tree.
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