tea caddy

American  

noun

1. a small box, can, or chest for holding tea leaves.

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Etymology

Origin of tea caddy

1830–40; probably originally catty ², the box that held the measure being confused with the measure itself

Example Sentences

The bid won the tea caddy, and with the buyer’s commission tacking on another $600, it came in at six times the estimate.

From New York Times • May 9, 2018

Carol particularly liked an elaborately carved wooden tea caddy that belonged to Henry’s mother.

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2018

She once paid $1,200 for an 18th-century tea caddy disguised as a stack of books.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2014

They bought the tea caddy at a boot sale, and now it's being auctioned.

From The Guardian • Mar. 13, 2013

I keep all my money in an old tin tea caddy with a picture of the desert on it, palm trees and camels.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood