Main Entry:

can·teen

Pronunciation:

\kan-ˈtēn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French cantine bottle case, sutler's shop, from Italian cantina wine cellar, probably from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron tire — more at cant

Date:

1737

1 a: a portable chest with compartments for carrying bottles or for cooking and eating utensils b: a flask for carrying liquids (as on a hike) c: mess kit dBritish : a chest for storing flatware2 a: a bar at a military post or camp b: a general store at a military post : exchange c: an establishment that serves as an informal social club (as for soldiers or a community's teenagers) d: a small cafeteria or snack bar