Dictionary

dropbox en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈdɹɑp.bɑks/ (General-American)
• /ˈdɹɒp.bɒks/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From drop + box.

Meanings

1. A box wherein objects can be deposited by one person for later collection by another.
   • “The measures include things like enhanced power for poll ‘monitors,’ fewer voting drop-boxes, restrictions on voting by mail, penalties for election officials who fail to purge voters from the rolls, and enhanced power in politicians over election procedures.” 2021 May 4, Thomas L. Friedman, quoting Kimberly Wehle, “Trump’s Big Lie Devoured the G.O.P. and Now Eyes Our Democracy”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
   • The two smaller slots are for the dropping of cash or markers into the dropbox when players cash these for casino chips. 1980, Edwin Silberstang, Playboy's Guide to Casino Gambling, page 363:
2. A computer folder to which files may be dragged and dropped and from which users of other computers on the network can access those files.
   • A desktop computer leaves changes in a dropbox on the network. 1997, Alison Balter, Alison Balter's Mastering Access 97 Development, Sams Publishing, →ISBN, page 696:
3. An enhancement to a loom that allows patterns of multiple colors to be woven from the same loom.
   • In 1738, John Kay, a native of Bury (though at the time residing in Colchester) invented the fly-shuttle, and in 1760 his son Robert invented the dropbox, by which patterns of various colours are woven nearly with the same facility as plain calico. 1869, “The Provincial History of England”, in The Spectator, volume 42, page 1528:

Forms

Hypernyms

box

Translations (4)

fr urne (physical box) · fr boîte de dépôt (physical box) · pt urna (physical box) · es buzón (physical box)