Boxer

[bok-ser]

noun

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.

Origin of Boxer

translation of Chinese yìhé juǎn Righteous Harmony Fist, name of the militant policy of the yìhé tuán Righteous Harmony Group

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British Dictionary definitions for boxer rebellion

Boxer

noun

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

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

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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.