Box

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. [1913 Webster]

2. The quantity that a box contain. [1913 Webster]

3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or other place of public amusement. [1913 Webster]

Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage. --Dorset. [1913 Webster]

The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a poor box; a contribution box. [1913 Webster]

Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks, Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J. Warton. [1913 Webster]

5. A small country house. ``A shooting box.'' --Wilson. [1913 Webster]

Tight boxes neatly sashed. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach. [1913 Webster]

9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or gift. ``A Christmas box.'' --Dickens. [1913 Webster]

10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands. [1913 Webster]

11. (Zo["o]l.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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) [1913 Webster]