Chinese boxes

Chinese boxes

Chinese boxes are a set of boxes of graduated size, each fitting inside the next larger box.

A traditional style in Chinese design, nested boxes have proved a popular packaging option in the West for novelty or display reasons.

The Russian matryoshka doll is a modern interpretation of this form.

As with the above example, such Chinese nested boxes have inspired similar forms of packaging around the world, but also have found use as a figurative description, providing an illustrative example to demonstrate situations of conceptually nested or recursive arrangements.

In literature a Chinese box structure refers to a novel or drama that is told in the form of a narrative inside a narrative (and so on), giving views from different perspectives. Examples include Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein and Jostein Gaarder's The Solitaire Mystery.

See also

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chinese boxes — n. a nest of boxes, each of which fits into the next larger box …   English World dictionary

  • chinese boxes — noun plural Usage: usually capitalized C : a set of graduated boxes each fitting into the one next larger * * * a matched set of boxes, usually elaborately decorated and decreasing in size so that each fits inside the next larger one. [1825 30] * …   Useful english dictionary

  • Chinese boxes — noun plural Date: 1829 1. a set of boxes graduated in size so that each fits into the next larger one 2. something that resembles a set of Chinese boxes especially in complexity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Chinese boxes — noun a) A set of boxes, of different sizes, each fitting inside the next larger one. b) Something that resembles a set of Chinese boxes, especially in complexity …   Wiktionary

  • Chinese boxes — a matched set of boxes, usually elaborately decorated and decreasing in size so that each fits inside the next larger one. [1825 30] * * * …   Universalium

  • Chinese boxes — Chi′nese box′es n. pl. fia a matched set of boxes that decrease in size so that each box fits inside the next larger one • Etymology: 1825–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • Chinese box — may refer to different topics: Chinese boxes, may refer to nested ornamental boxes; this usage is frequently as a metaphor for many layers of encapsulation, similar to Matryoshka dolls or the layers of an onion Chinese box is a common name for… …   Wikipedia

  • chinese box — noun Usage: usually capitalized C : something that resembles a set of Chinese boxes especially in complexity often used in plural …   Useful english dictionary

  • Chinese candy box — Chinese 全盒 Literal meaning …   Wikipedia

  • Chinese social relations — are social relations typified by a reciprocal social network. Often social obligations within the network are characterized in familial terms. The individual link within the social network is known by guanxi (关系/關係) and the feeling within the… …   Wikipedia

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