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poor box

noun
  1. a box, especially in a church, into which contributions for the poor can be dropped.
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Origin of poor box

First recorded in 1615–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for poor box

Historical Examples

  • "Ah, the closet is as safe as the poor-box," the old lady assured her.

    The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I (of 2)

    Alexandre Dumas pre

  • The concert was crowded and must have brought in a round sum to the poor-box.

  • I'll try to find that young coxcomb; if I don't, I'll drop his money in the poor-box.

    Pride

    Eugne Sue

  • Fancy a fellow like me making presents to the poor-box (vide sketch)!

  • Two of the ruffians then proceeded to the church, broke open the poor-box, and took about 30 francs.

British Dictionary definitions for poor box

poor box

noun
  1. a box, esp one in a church, used for the collection of alms or money for the poor
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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