/ tʃest; NAmE / noun
1.
the top part of the front of the body, between the neck and the stomach :
The bullet hit him in the chest.
She gasped for breath, her chest heaving.
a chest infection
chest pains
a hairy chest
—picture at body
2.
-chested (in adjectives) having the type of chest mentioned :
flat-chested
broad-chested
3.
a large strong box, usually made of wood, used for storing things in and/or moving them from one place to another :
a medicine chest
a treasure chest
—see also hope chest , tea chest , war chest
•
IDIOMS
- get sth off your chest
—more at card noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English cest , cyst , related to Dutch kist and German Kiste , based on Greek kistē box.