hope chest

noun

1. (especially formerly) a chest or the like in which a young woman collected clothing, linens, and other articles in anticipation of marriage.

hope chest

noun

1. a young woman's collection of clothes, linen, cutlery, etc, in anticipation of marriage Also called (esp in Britain)bottom drawer

Word History and Origins

Origin of hope chest¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

I’ve been fortunate to have been given a beloved hope chest and dining room pieces used by my great-grandparents, and I love them more every year.

From Seattle Times

My mother was thrilled and began filling a series of plastic bins with cookware and china as a sort of modern-day hope chest.

From Salon

The dowry was replaced with a marriage chest, also known as a trousseau or hope chest.

From Washington Post

When I was a teenager and Seventeen magazine still came in the mail, I used to marvel at the ads for hope chests.

From Seattle Times

Mom stored Ivy’s great-grandmother’s hope chest up here in the attic, which became Ivy’s room a few months ago so the twins could have their own space.

From Literature