box 1 
(bŏks)
(bŏks)n.
1.
a. A container typically constructed with four sides perpendicular to the base and often having a lid or cover.
b. The amount or quantity that such a container can hold.
2. A square or rectangle: Draw a box around your answer.
3.
a. A separated compartment in a public place of entertainment, such as a theater or stadium, for the accommodation of a small group.
b. An area of a public place, such as a courtroom or stadium, marked off and restricted for use by persons performing a specific function: a jury box.
4. A small structure serving as a shelter: a sentry box.
5. Chiefly British A small country house used as a sporting lodge: a shooting box.
6. A box stall.
7. The raised seat for the driver of a coach or carriage.
8. Baseball
a. An area on a diamond marked by lines designating where the batter may stand.
b. Any of various designated areas for other team members, such as the pitcher, catcher, and coaches.
9. Sports
a. A penalty box.
b. The penalty area on a soccer field.
10. Printing Featured printed matter enclosed by hairlines, a border, or white space and placed within or between text columns.
11. A hollow made in the side of a tree for the collection of sap.
12. A post office box.
13.
a. An inbox.
b. An outbox.
14.
a. An insulating, enclosing, or protective casing or part in a machine.
b. A signaling device enclosed in a casing: an alarm box.
15. A cable box.
16.
a. Informal A television.
b. A very large portable radio.
17. Chiefly British A gift or gratuity, especially one given at Christmas.
18. An awkward or perplexing situation; a predicament.
19. Vulgar Slang The vulva and the vagina.
tr.v. boxed, box·ing, box·es
Idioms: 1. To pack in a box.
2. To confine in or as if in a box.
3. To border or enclose with or as if with a box: Key sections of the report are boxed off.
4. To provide a housing or case for (a machine part, for example).
5.
a. To limit the activity or influence of by or as if by creating a restrictive structure or outlining a territory: The legislature was boxed in by its earlier decisions.
b. Sports To block (a competitor or opponent) from advancing, especially to hinder an opponent from getting a rebound in basketball by placing oneself between the opponent and the basket: was boxed out by the tallest player on the team; was boxed in on the homestretch.
6. Nautical To boxhaul.
7. To cut a hole in (a tree) for the collection of sap.
8. To blend (paint) by pouring alternately between two containers.
9. To change the shape of (a structure, such as a wall) by applying lath and plaster or boarding.
box the compass
1. To name the 32 points of the compass in proper order.
2. To make a complete revolution or reversal.
in a box Informal
In a very difficult or restrictive situation.
outside/outside of the box
In a strikingly unconventional or original way: thinking outside the box.
[Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin buxis, from Greek puxis, from puxos, box tree.]