the word "suitcase" is a transparent english compound from the early 20th century, formed from two older english words. the first element, "suit", originally referred to a set of garments, tracing back to the latin "sequi" (to follow), via the notion of things that follow together as a set. the second element, "case", derives from the latin "capsa" for a box or chest, which itself may come from "capere" (to take, to hold). the compound logically denotes a box or container specifically for holding a suit or set of clothes, reflecting its primary function for travel. over time, its meaning generalized to any similar rectangular traveling bag, regardless of the specific contents.

Structure: suit (set of clothes) + case (container) - suit: from old french "suite", meaning "a set, a retinue", later "a set of clothes". in this compound, it refers to clothing. - case: from latin "capsa", meaning "box, receptacle". in this compound, it refers to a container.