canteen
UK[kænˈtiːn]US[kænˈtiːn]
n
a place in a factory, office, school, etc. where meals are served, often at a low price
n
a small container for carrying water or other drinks, used by soldiers, campers, etc.
Etymology
The word 'canteen' entered English in the early 18th century from the French 'cantine', which denoted a sutler's shop or a small shop for soldiers. The French term was borrowed from the Italian 'cantina', meaning 'cellar' or 'wine shop'. This Italian word is a diminutive of 'canto', meaning 'corner' or 'edge', derived from the Latin 'cantus', which could refer to the rim of a wheel or a circular object. The semantic journey thus moved from a general concept of a small corner or niche to a specific small shop, and finally to its modern meanings of a refreshment room or a portable drinking vessel, both retaining the core idea of a contained, often small-scale, provision point.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
The office canteen serves a hot lunch every day.
He filled his canteen with fresh water from the stream before the hike.
Students often gather in the school canteen during their lunch break.