[chest] n [ME, fr. OE cest, cist chest, box, fr. L cista, fr. Gk kiste basket, hamper] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a container for storage or shipping; esp: a box with a lid used esp. for the safekeeping of belongings b: a cupboard used esp. for the storing of medicines or first-aid supplies
2: the place where money of a public institution is kept: treasury; also: the fund so kept 3 a: thorax; esp: the human thorax "a pain in the ~" b: breast 2a "a hairy ~" -- chest.ful n