hope chest

noun

(especially formerly) a chest or the like in which a young woman collected clothing, linens, and other articles in anticipation of marriage.

hope chest

a young woman's collection of clothes, linen, cutlery, etc, in anticipation of marriage Also called (esp in Britain)bottom drawer

First recorded in 1910–15

"This is my room and this is my Hope Chest," she said proudly.

Why, any girl would be glad to start a hope-chest with this, laughed Ruth.

When the girl leaves the old nest for one of her own building the Hope Chest goes with her as a valuable portion of her dowry.

It used to be the practice for each young girl to have a "hope chest" into which she put linens, etc., against the wedding day.

There's a fine place for the cage in my room—on my hope chest.

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