chest

chest
\ \ [OE] Chest comes ultimately from Greek kístēbox, basket’. In Latin this became cista (source of English cistern [13]). In prehistoric times the word was borrowed into Germanic as *kistā, which was the source of Old English cest.
\ \ This still meant ‘box’, a sense which continued in isolation until the 16th century, when it was first applied to the ‘thorax’ – the basis of the metaphor presumably being that the ribs enclose the heart and lungs like a box. It has since replaced breast as the main term for the concept.
\ \ Cf.CISTERN

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Chest — (ch[e^]st), n. [OE. chest, chist, AS. cest, cist, cyst, L. cista, fr. Gr. ki sth. Cf. {Cist}, {Cistern}.] 1. A large box of wood, or other material, having, like a trunk, a lid, but no covering of skin, leather, or cloth. [1913 Webster] Heaps of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chest — [ tʃest ] noun count *** 1. ) the upper front part of your body between your neck and your stomach: a broad/hairy chest Have you had any chest pains? a ) BRITISH INFORMAL used for referring to health problems in the area of your chest, especially …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • chest — W3S2 [tʃest] n [: Old English; Origin: cest, from Latin cista box, basket , from Greek kiste basket ] 1.) the front part of your body between your neck and your stomach →↑breast ▪ Her heart was pounding in her chest. ▪ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • chest — chest; chest·ed; chest·i·ly; chest·i·ness; chest·nut·ty; chest·nut; …   English syllables

  • chest — [chest] n. [ME chest, chiste < OE, ON, or L: OE cist & ON kista < L cista < Gr kistē, a box, basket < IE * kista, woven container > OIr cess, basket] 1. a box with a lid and, often, a lock, for storing or shipping things 2. Rare a… …   English World dictionary

  • chest´i|ly — chest|y «CHEHS tee», adjective, chest|i|er, chest|i|est. U.S. Slang. 1. conceited; self assertive: »bumbling doctors, madcap crooks, chesty admirals and busty dowagers ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • chest|y — «CHEHS tee», adjective, chest|i|er, chest|i|est. U.S. Slang. 1. conceited; self assertive: »bumbling doctors, madcap crooks, chesty admirals and busty dowagers ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • Chest — puede hacer referencia a: Chest, revista médica estadoundiense. Chest Creek; río de Pensilvania, Estados Unidos. Chest Township, localidad del condado de Cambria, Pensilvania, Estados Unidos. Chest Township, localidad del condado de Clearfield,… …   Wikipedia Español

  • chest — ► NOUN 1) the front surface of a person s body between the neck and the stomach. 2) the circumference of a person s upper body. 3) a large strong box for storage or transport. 4) Brit. the treasury or financial resources of an institution. ● get… …   English terms dictionary

  • Chest — (ch[e^]st), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Chested}.] 1. To deposit in a chest; to hoard. [1913 Webster] 2. To place in a coffin. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] He dieth and is chested. Gen. 1. 26 (heading). [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Chest — est le 7e single du groupe japonais Orange Range. Liste des pistes Chest Shuji Kimi Kirikirimai (disco mix) Chest (live mix) featuring Paul Gilbert Portail de la musique Catégorie …   Wikipédia en Français

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