A box is a container made of various materials, including cardboard, wood, plastic, or metal. It is used to store, transport, or present different objects. The box has been around for centuries, and its uses have evolved over time. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of the box, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
A box can be defined as a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid. It can also refer to a small compartment or receptacle used for storing items such as jewelry, tools, or medicines. A box can be any size, from a tiny matchbox to a large shipping container.
Origin
The word “box” comes from the Old English word “box,” which means a container made of boxwood. Boxwood is a dense and durable wood that was commonly used to make containers in the past. The word “box” has been in use for over a thousand years.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a box is “a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid.” Merriam-Webster defines a box as “a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover.” The Cambridge Dictionary describes a box as “a container made of wood, metal, or cardboard, usually with a flat top and bottom and sides that can be pushed in.”
Associations
The box is associated with storage, transportation, and presentation. It is commonly used for storing and transporting items such as food, clothes, books, and electronics. Boxes are also used for presenting gifts, products, and artifacts. In some cultures, boxes have symbolic meanings, such as representing wealth, power, or spirituality.
Synonyms
Synonyms of box include container, case, crate, chest, trunk, casket, and package.
Antonyms
Antonyms of box include open, empty, bare, and exposed.
The same root words
Words with the same root as box include boxwood, boxy, and boxing.
Example Sentences
- I need a box to store my winter clothes.
- The delivery arrived in a sturdy cardboard box.
- I wrapped the gift in a beautiful box with a bow on top.
- The jewelry was kept in a small box with a lock.
- The antique vase was carefully packed in a wooden box for shipping.