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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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