I. ˈchest noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cest, cist chest, box, basket, coffin; akin to Old Frisian kiste box, chest, Old High German & Old Norse kista; all from a prehistoric North Germanic-West Germanic word borrowed from Latin cista box, basket, from Greek kistē basket, hamper; perhaps akin to Old Irish cess, ciss basket
1. : any of various containers for storage: as
a. : a box usually with a hinged lid especially for the safekeeping of valuables or the storing of tools or belongings
a tool chest
a jewel chest
a chest lock
b. : a cupboard especially for the storing of medicines or first-aid supplies
a medicine chest
c. : a reusable storage or shipping container generally made or fitted for a special commodity or group of items
d. : chest of drawers
e. : a storage tank for pulp during processing in papermaking
2. now dialect : coffin
3.
a. : the place for the keeping of the money of a public institution : treasury , coffer
b. : a fund of money especially in or from such a chest — see community chest
4. : the part of the body enclosed by the ribs and breastbone : thorax — see dog illustration
5. : the seat of the emotions
6. : the breast of an arrow
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English chesten to put into a coffin, from chest, n.
now dialect Britain : to place in a coffin