box plait

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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