canteen

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A place where meals are served in a school, factory, or other workplace.

   We usually have lunch in the office canteen at noon.

2. 2
   noun

   A small container for carrying water, used by soldiers or campers.

   The hiker filled her canteen at the spring before setting off.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Canteen entered English in the mid-18th century from French cantine, which came from Italian cantina, “cellar.” It initially denoted a shop in a barracks or garrison town selling provisions and alcohol, while the French-derived sense “a soldier’s water bottle” entered English at about the same time.

Borrowed from French cantine, itself borrowed from Italian cantina. Doublet of cantina.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary