Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
Boxer [bok-ser] Word Origin 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 British Dictionary definitions for boxer rebellion Boxer noun
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- 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
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 n.
“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.