BOX, noun [Lat. buxus, the tree, and pyxis, a box; Gr. a box and the tree.]

A coffer or chest, either of wood or metal. In general, the word box is used for a case of rough boards, or more slightly made than a chest, and used for the conveyance of goods. But the name is applied to cases of any size and of any materials; as a wooden box a tin box an iron box a strong box

1. The quantity that a box contains; as a box of quicksilver; a box or rings. In some cases, the quantity called a box is fixed by custom; in others, it is uncertain, as a box of tea or sugar.

2. A certain seat in a play-house, or in any public room.

3. The case which contains the mariner's compass.

4. A money chest.

5. A tree or shrub, constituting the genus buxus, used for bordering flower-beds. The African box is the myrsine.

6. A blow on the head with the hand, or on the ear with the open hand.

7. A cylindrical hollow iron used in wheels, in which the axle-tree runs. Also, a hollow tube in a pump, closed with a valve.

BOX, verb intransitive To fight with the fist; to combat with the hand or fist.

BOX, verb transitive To inclose in a box; also, to furnish with boxes, as a wheel or block.

1. To strike with the hand or fist, especially the ear or side of the head.

2. To rehearse the several points of the compass in their proper order.

3. To make a hole or cut in a tree, to procure the sap; as, to box a maple.

4. To sail round.