boxer

¹

[bok-ser]

noun

1. a person who fights as a sport, usually with gloved fists, according to set rules; prize-fighter; pugilist.

2. one of a German breed of medium-sized, stocky, short-haired, pug-faced dogs having a brindled or tan coat with white markings.

3. a person or thing that packs items into boxes. box.

4. boxers. boxer shorts.

Boxer

²

[bok-ser]

noun

1. a member of a Chinese secret society that carried on an unsuccessful uprising, 1898–1900 BoxerRebellion, principally against foreigners, culminating in a siege of foreign legations in Peking (now Beijing) that was put down by an international expeditionary force.

Boxer

¹

/ ˈbɒksə /

noun

1. 1. a member of a nationalistic Chinese secret society that led an unsuccessful rebellion in 1900 against foreign interests in China

   2. ( as modifier )

      the Boxer Rebellion

boxer

²

/ ˈbɒksə /

noun

1. a person who boxes, either professionally or as a hobby; pugilist

2. a medium-sized smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose and a docked tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of boxer¹

First recorded in 1735–45; box ² + -er ¹

Origin of boxer²

First recorded in 1895–1900; translation of Chinese yìhé juǎn “Righteous Harmony Fist,” name of the militant policy of the yìhé tuán “Righteous Harmony Group”

Word History and Origins

Origin of boxer¹

C18: rough translation of Chinese I Ho Ch'üan , literally: virtuous harmonious fist, altered from I Ho T'uan virtuous harmonious society

Example Sentences

The boxers are already in hype mode as well, as evidenced by their comments in the press release announcing the event.

From Los Angeles Times

Only one boxer, Claressa Shields, has won all four world titles in three different weights, no one yet has managed it in four.

From BBC

YouTuber, rapper and boxer KSI has been announced as a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

From BBC

One fighter might be a boxer, while his opponent could come from a wrestling or karate background.

From BBC

Her first novel is set at a North American nail salon run by the pragmatic and witty Ning, who was once a professional boxer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fighter 
• prizefighter www.thesaurus.com