/ kænˈtiːn; NAmE / noun
1.
( especially BrE ) a place where food and drink are served in a factory, a school, etc.
2.
a small container used by soldiers, travellers, etc. for carrying water or other liquid
3.
canteen of cutlery ( BrE ) a box containing a set of knives, forks and spoons
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 18th cent. (originally denoting a shop selling provisions or alcohol in a barracks or garrison town): from French cantine , from Italian cantina cellar. A French use of cantine denoting a small compartmented case for carrying bottles of wine may have given rise to sense 3.