JACK-IN-A-BOX • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Jack-in-a-box

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noun

Jack-in-a-box n.

(Bot.) A tropical tree (Hernandia sonora), which bears a drupe that rattles when dry in the inflated calyx.

A child's toy, consisting of a box, out of which, when the lid is raised, a figure (usually a clown) springs; also called jack-in-the-box.

(Mech.) An epicyclic train of bevel gears for transmitting rotary motion to two parts in such a manner that their relative rotation may be variable; applied to driving the wheels of tricycles, road locomotives, and to cotton machinery, etc.; an equation box; a jack frame; called also compensating gearing.

A large wooden screw turning in a nut attached to the crosspiece of a rude press.

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Etymology of 'Jack-in-a-box'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Jack-in-a-box" Quotes from Famous Books

... so, I heard a click, and the lid of a small box covered with mottled paper burst open, and up jumped a figure in a blue striped shirt and a rabbit-skin beard, whose eyes were intently fixed on me. He was very like my old Jack-in-a-box. My back began to creep, and I wildly meditated escape, frantically trying at the same time to recall whether it were I or my brother who originated the idea of making a small bonfire of our own one 5th of November, and burning the old Jack-in-a-box ...

— The Brownies and Other Tales • Juliana Horatia Ewing

... cruel than the sensation caused by this horrible noise. Clemence trembled and fell back in her chair, frozen with horror. Gerfaut rose, almost as frightened as she; Mademoiselle de Corandeuil, aroused from her sleep, sat up in her chair as suddenly as a Jack-in-a-box that jumps in one's face when a spring is touched. As to Constance, she darted under her mistress's chair, ...

— Gerfaut, Complete • Charles de Bernard

... the evening came, Miss Matty (for it was she who was voted into the chair, as she had a cold), before being shut down in the sedan, like jack-in-a-box, implored the chairmen, whatever might befall, not to run away and leave her fastened up there, to be murdered; and even after they had promised, I saw her tighten her features into the stern determination of a martyr, ...

— Cranford • Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell