Boxer
[bok-ser]
- a member of a Chinese secret society that carried on an unsuccessful uprising, 1898–1900 (Boxer Rebellion), principally against foreigners, culminating in a siege of foreign legations in Peking that was put down by an international expeditionary force.
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Origin of Boxer
translation of Chinese yìhé juǎn Righteous Harmony Fist, name of the militant policy of the yìhé tuán Righteous Harmony Group
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Boxer
- a member of a nationalistic Chinese secret society that led an unsuccessful rebellion in 1900 against foreign interests in China
- (as modifier)the Boxer Rebellion
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Word Origin for Boxer
C18: rough translation of Chinese I Ho Ch'üan, literally: virtuous harmonious fist, altered from I Ho T'uan virtuous harmonious society
boxer
- a person who boxes, either professionally or as a hobby; pugilist
- a medium-sized smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose and a docked tail
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for boxer rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
1900, a name based on mistranslation of Chinese xenophobic society I-He-T'uan, "Righteous Harmony Band," rendered by British as I-He-Ch'uan "Righteous Uniting Fists," and so associated with the pugilistic boxer.
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boxer
"fighter," late 15c., agent noun from box (v.2). The name of the breed of dog (1934), is from German (the breed originated in Germany), itself taken from English boxer "fighter;" the dog so called for its pugnaciousness. Boxer shorts (1943) so called from their resemblance to the attire worn in the ring.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper