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jack-in-the-box

2 definitions found for jack-in-the-box

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :


  Jack-in-a-box \Jack-in-a-box\
     1. (Bot.) A tropical tree ({Hernandia sonora), which bears a
        drupe that rattles when dry in the inflated calyx.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A large wooden screw turning in a nut attached to the
        crosspiece of a rude press.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) :


  jack-in-the-box
      n 1: plaything consisting of a toy clown that jumps out of a box
           when the lid is opened