BOX, in its most common acceptance, denotes a small chest or coffer for holding things.
Dice-Box, a narrow deep cornet, channelled within, wherein the dice are shaken and thrown. This answers to what the Romans called frutillus; whence, crepitantes frutilli; and, in Seneca, resonante frutillo. The same author uses also concutere frutillum, figuratively, for playing.— Besides the frutillus, the Romans, for greater security, had another kind of dice-box called pyrgus, pyrgus, and sometimes turricula. It was placed immovable in the middle of the table, being perforated or open at both ends, and likewise channelled within; over the top was placed a kind of funnel, into which the dice were cast out upon the frutillus; whence descending, they fell through the bottom on the table; by which all practising on them with the fingers was effectually prevented. For want of some contrivance of this kind, our sharpers have opportunities of playing divers tricks with the box, as palming, topping, flabbing, &c.
Box, is also used for an uncertain quantity or measure; thus a box of quicksilver contains from one to two hundred weight; a box of prunellas only 14 pounds; a box of rings for keys, two gros, &c.
Box-Tree, in botany. See BUXUS.
African-Box. See MYRTANS.