I. noun
also can·nis·ter ˈkanə̇stə(r)
( -s )
Etymology: Latin canistrum basket, from Greek kanastron, from kanna reed — more at cane
1. archaic : a small basket for holding bread, fruit, or flowers
2.
a. : a cylindrical or rectangular container usually of lightweight metal, plastic, or laminated pasteboard used for holding a dry product (as tea, crackers, flour, matches)
b. : any of various cylindrical metal receptacles usually with a removable close-fitting top
3.
a. : encased shot for close-range artillery fire consisting of a large number of balls in a light cylindrical case fitting the gun's bore and bursting by the force of the firing charge
b. : a metal drum or cylindrical barrel
canisters of TNT dropped by a destroyer
4. : a light perforated metal box that contains material to adsorb, filter, or detoxify poisons and irritants in the air and is used with gas masks — see gas mask illustration
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to place or enclose in a canister