shadow box

American  

noun

1. a shallow, rectangular frame fronted with a glass panel, used to show and at the same time protect items on display, as paintings, coins, or jewelry.

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shadow-box British  

verb

1. boxing to practise blows and footwork against an imaginary opponent

2. to act or speak unconvincingly, without saying what one means, etc

   he's just shadow-boxing

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Other Word Forms

• shadow-boxing noun

Etymology

Origin of shadow box

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In an upstairs office, they keep a shadow box filled with ribbons and articles, highlighted by a July 2012 Swimming World Magazine profile with a smiling Marciano, braces and all.

From New York Times

The hat is now displayed in Ruberg’s home in a shadow box frame, along with a pregnancy test, hospital bracelets, a sonogram image and other newborn paraphernalia.

From Washington Post

Place rice paper or other items in shadow boxes.

From Seattle Times

You can freestyle this by planting your succulents in a shadow box lined with hardware cloth and a staple gun, or use a kit and follow its instructions.

From Salon

Mini quilts, or quilt fragments, can also be framed in shadow boxes or sturdy picture frames; you’ll find DIY videos online.

From Washington Times