canister

(kanis tər)

noun

  1. a small box or can for coffee, tea, tobacco, etc.
  2. a boxlike vacuum cleaner
  3. Historical lead or iron shot in a container that scattered its contents when fired
  4. the part of a gas mask that contains the substances for filtering the air to be breathed

Origin: ME < L canistrum, wicker basket < Gr kanastron < kanna, a reed: see cane

See canister in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A usually cylindrical storage container, especially:
    a. A box or can of thin metal or plastic used for holding dry foodstuffs or cooking ingredients, such as flour or sugar.
    b. A small plastic container used for storing a roll of film.
    c. A metal container that holds pressurized gas, as one containing tear gas that explodes on impact or one containing oxygen as part of a breathing apparatus.
  2. a. A metallic cylinder packed with shot that scatter upon discharge from a cannon, formerly used as an antipersonnel round.
    b. Such cylinders, or the shot used in such cylinders, considered as a group.
  3. The part of a gas mask that contains the filter for removing toxic agents from the air.

Origin:

Origin: Latin canistrum, basket

Origin: , from Greek kanastron

Origin: , from kanna, reed; see cane

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