boxer
UK: ˈbɒksə(r) | US: ˈbɑːksər
n. a person who participates in the sport of boxing
n. a medium-sized dog breed with a smooth coat and a pushed-in nose
n. (historical) a member of a Chinese secret society involved in the Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901)
The word "boxer" derives from the verb "box," meaning "to strike with fists," which originated in the late 16th century, possibly from Dutch "boksen" or German "boxen." The suffix "-er" is an agentive suffix in English, indicating a person who performs the action (e.g., "fighter," "runner"). The term was first applied to pugilists in the early 18th century. The dog breed, named for its tendency to "box" with its paws, emerged in the 19th century. The historical sense refers to the martial arts-trained rebels of the Boxer Rebellion, whose movements involved ritualistic boxing-like techniques.
The young boxer trained tirelessly for his upcoming championship match.
My neighbor owns a playful boxer who loves to jump around.
The Boxer Rebellion was a significant anti-foreign uprising in China.
She adopted a rescue boxer from the local animal shelter.
Famous boxers like Muhammad Ali revolutionized the sport.