patch-boxn.
/ˈpatʃˌbɒks/, U.S. /ˈpætʃˌbɑks/ Now historical.
A box for holding decorative patches for the face. Cf. patch n.1 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the face > [noun] > adorning with patches > ornamental patches or spots > containers for
patch-box1673
1673 in W. M. Myddelton Chirk Castle Accts. (1931) II. 27 Sept. 102 2 powder boxes, 2 patch boxes & 2 brushes weighing 66 oz.
1674 London Gaz. No. 859/4 Lost.., two silver powder Boxes, and a patch Box.
1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke ii, in Misc. Poems 369 Thrice from my trembling hand the Patch-box fell.
1758 H. Walpole Let. 16 June If they send a patch-box to Lord George Sackville, it will hold all his laurels.
a1854 E. Grant Mem. Highland Lady (1988) II. xx. 70 She had..possessed herself of her mother's patch box, and not content with one or two black spots.., had stuck on a whole shower.
1923 Weekly Disp. 18 Feb. 7 Patch-boxes are shallower things, and generally oval, so that the two fingers can easily be inserted.
2002 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch (Nexis) 21 Dec. (Home & Garden section) f1 Victorian patch boxes..were designed to hold the little black beauty patches.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1673