/ ˈkænɪstə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
a container with a lid for holding tea, coffee, etc.
2.
a strong metal container containing gas or a chemical substance, especially one that bursts when it is fired from a gun or thrown :
tear-gas canisters
3.
a flat round metal container used for storing film :
a film canister
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (denoting a basket): from Latin canistrum , from Greek kanastron wicker basket, from kanna cane, reed kannē , of Semitic origin.