[box] n, pl box or box.es [ME, fr. OE, fr. L buxus, fr. Gk pyxos] (bef. 12c): an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus of the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite entire leaves and capsular fruits; esp: a widely cultivated shrub (B. sempervirens) used for hedges, borders, and topiary figures
[2]box n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL buxis, fr. Gk pyxis, fr. pyxos box tree] (bef. 12c) 1: a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover "a cigar ~": as a: an open cargo container of a vehicle b: coffin
2: the contents of a box esp. as a measure of quantity
3: a box or boxlike container and its contents: as a Brit: a gift in a box b: an automobile transmission c: television d: a signaling apparatus "alarm ~" e: a usu. self-contained piece of electronic equipment f: boom box
4: an often small space, compartment, or enclosure: as a: an enclosed group of seats for spectators (as in a theater or stadium) b: a driver's seat on a carriage or coach c: a cell for holding mail d Brit: box stall e: penalty box
5: a usu. rectangular space that is frequently outlined or demarcated on a surface: as a: any of six spaces on a baseball diamond where the batter, coaches, pitcher, and catcher stand b: a space on a page for printed matter or in which to make a mark
6: predicament, fix 7: a cubical building -- box.ful n -- box.like adj [3]box vt (15c) 1: to enclose in or as if in a box
2: to hem in (as an opponent)--usu. used with in, out, or up "~ed out the opposing tackle" [4]box n [ME] (14c): a punch or slap esp. on the ear [5]box vt (1519) 1: to hit (as the ears) with the hand
2: to engage in boxing with ~ vi: to fight with the fists: engage in boxing [6]box vt [prob. fr. Sp bojar to circumnavigate, fr. Catal vogir to turn, fr. L volvere to roll--more at voluble] (1753): to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order--used figuratively in the phrase box the compass to describe making a complete reversal