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.

Origin of hope chest

First recorded in 1910–15

Example sentences from the Web for hope chest

British Dictionary definitions for hope chest

hope chest

noun

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