miter box

noun

, Carpentry.

1. any of various fixed or adjustable guides for a saw in making miters or cross cuts, especially a troughlike box open at the ends and guiding the saw by slots in the opposite sides.

Word History and Origins

Origin of miter box¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Using your miter saw or miter box, cut your molding pieces with 45-degree angled edges, which allows them to fit together into the final box shape.

From Seattle Times

A miter box and a GPS device were stolen from a vehicle.

From Washington Post

Hold the wood in the miter box, lining up your mark with the 45-degree slot, and cut.

From Southern Living

The miter box should be fastened firmly to a low table or box.

From Project Gutenberg

To make sure that the ends were all cut to the same angle, we made a carpenter’s “miter box.”

From Project Gutenberg