[can.teen] n [F cantine bottle case, sutler's shop, fr. It cantina wine cellar, prob. fr. canto corner, fr. L canthus iron tire--more at cant] (1737) 1 a: a portable chest with compartments for carrying bottles or for cooking and eating utensils b: a flask for carrying liquids (as on a hike) c: mess kit d Brit: a chest for storing flatware
2. a: a bar at a military post or camp b: a general store at a military post: exchange c: an establishment that serves as an informal social club (as for soldiers or a community's teenagers) d: a small cafeteria or snack bar