Lewis & Short

buxum, i, n. [buxus], the wood of the boxtree (cf. Neue, Formenl. 1, 509; 1, 625).

  1. I. In gen.: torno rasile, Verg. G. 2, 449: ora buxo Pallidiora, Ov. M. 4, 134: multifori tibia buxi, id. ib. 12, 158: buxoque simillimus Pallor, id. ib. 11, 417; cf. Plin. 16, 16, 28, § 70.
  2. II. Esp. of objects made of boxwood.
      1. 1. A flute, pipe: inflati murmur buxi, Ov. M. 14, 537: terebratum per rara foramina, id. F. 6, 697; id. P. 1, 1, 45: cava buxa, Prop. 4 (5), 8, 42: ad inspirata rotari Buxa, Stat. Th. 7, 171; Sen. Agam. 688.
      2. 2. A top: volubile, Verg. A. 7, 382: buxum torquere flagello, Pers. 3, 52.
      3. 3. A comb: crines depectere buxo, Ov. F. 6, 229: caput intactum buxo, Juv. 14, 194.
      4. 4. A writingtablet, Prop. 3 (4), 23, 8; Schol. ad Hor. S. 1, 6, 74.
  3. III. Transf., = buxus, the boxtree, Plin. 16, 43, 84, § 231.