bandboxyadj.
/ˈbandbɒksi/ a. Resembling a bandbox in shape, the fragility of its structure, or its restricted accommodation. (Cf. bandboxical adj.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > [adjective]
tender?c1225
feeble1340
infirmc1374
slight1393
weakc1400
sperec1440
silly1587
unsound1590
immaterial1609
paper1615
unsubstantiala1617
reedy1628
slighty1662
insufficient1700
flimsy1702
bandbox1727
unconfirmed1752
insubstantial1767
gossamery1790
thread-paper1803
gossamer1806
slimsy1845
unendurable1879
bandboxy1891
1855 B. Taylor Pictures of Palestine xxxvi. 428 Those bandboxy sombreros which I at first thought so ungainly.
1891 Cornhill Mag. Feb. 160 Houses,..light and small and bandboxy.
1896 C. Allen Papier Mâché 80 Sheds, and bandboxy houses all tilted up on stumps.
b. Extremely neat. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > neat or trim
netc1330
pertc1330
cleanc1386
nicec1400
picked?c1425
dapperc1440
feata1471
gim1513
trig1513
well-trimmedc1513
trick1533
smirk1534
tricksy1552
neat1559
netty1573
deft1579
primpc1590
briska1593
smug1598
spruce1598
sprink1602
terse1602
compt1632
nitle1673
sprig1675
snod1691
tight1697
smugged1706
snug1714
pensy1718
fitty1746
jemmy1751
sprucy1774
smartc1778
natty1785
spry1806
perjink1808
soigné1821
nutty1823
toiletted1823
taut1829
spick and span1846
spicy1846
groomed1853
spiffy1853
well-groomed1865
bandboxy1870
perjinkity1880
spick-span1888
bandbox1916
tiddly1925
whip-smart1937
spit and polish1950
spit-and-polished1977
1870 L. M. Alcott Old-fashioned Girl xii. 195 The dance and the race had taken the ‘band-boxy’ air out of Tom's elegant array.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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adj.1855