canister
UK[ˈkænɪstə]US[ˈkænɪstər]
n
a round or cylindrical container, typically made of metal, used for storing food or other substances.
n
a metal cylinder or projectile case that holds shot or gas for firing from a gun.
Etymology
the word 'canister' entered english in the late 15th century, derived from the latin 'canistrum', meaning 'basket made of reeds'. this latin term itself originated from the greek 'kanastron' and 'kannē', referring to a reed or cane basket. the semantic journey reflects a shift from a container made of woven plant material to a general term for a rigid, often metallic, storage vessel. the modern military usage for a projectile case extends this core idea of a container to a specialized, cylindrical object designed for a specific payload.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword; its spelling and form have been anglicized as a whole unit.
Examples
she stored the flour in a sealed canister to keep it fresh.
the tear gas canister was launched into the crowd.
he bought a matching set of coffee, sugar, and tea canisters for the kitchen counter.