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hope chest

noun

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


hope chest

noun

  1. a young woman's collection of clothes, linen, cutlery, etc, in anticipation of marriage Also called (esp in Britain)bottom drawer
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of hope chest1

First recorded in 1910–15
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Example Sentences

"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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