chest

[chest]

noun

1. Anatomy.,  the trunk of the body from the neck to the abdomen; thorax.

2. a box, usually with a lid, for storage, safekeeping of valuables, etc..

   a toy chest; a jewelry chest.

3. the place where the funds of a public institution or charitable organization are kept; treasury; coffer.

4. the funds themselves.

5. a box in which certain goods, as tea, are packed for transit.

6. the quantity contained in such a box.

   a chest of spices.

7. chest of drawers.

8. a small cabinet, especially one hung on a wall, for storage, as of toiletries and medicines.

   a medicine chest.

chest

/ tʃɛst /

noun

1. 1. the front part of the trunk from the neck to the belly

   2. ( as modifier )

      a chest cold

2. informal,  to unburden oneself of troubles, worries, etc, by talking about them

3. a box, usually large and sturdy, used for storage or shipping

   a tea chest

4. Also: chestful. the quantity a chest holds

5. rare

   1. the place in which a public or charitable institution deposits its funds

   2. the funds so deposited

6. a sealed container or reservoir for a gas

   a wind chest

   a steam chest

Other Word Forms

• chestful noun
• chested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chest¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cest, cist, from Latin cista, from Greek kístē “box”

Word History and Origins

Origin of chest¹

Old English cest, from Latin cista wooden box, basket, from Greek kistē box

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get (something) off one's chest, to relieve oneself of (problems, troubling thoughts, etc.) by revealing them to someone.

2. play it close to the chest. vest.

see off one's chest; play one's cards close to one's chest.

Example Sentences

Two other men remain in hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the attack, including one who was stabbed in the neck and chest.

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On his chest he wore a sticker with the number 729 — the number of days since the war began.

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The children died as a result of knife wounds to their necks and chests, an inquest was previously told.

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By the next day, he had chest pain, was dizzy and nearly passed out.

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The services offered before that, the person said, were chest procedures.

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Related Words

• breast 
• heart 
• rib cage