food hamper
Definition
Noun: A "food hamper" is a specific type of hamper, which is a large basket or container, designed for the purpose of packing, storing, and transporting food items. It often implies a collection of various foodstuffs, sometimes arranged as a gift.
Usage
The term "food hamper" is used to refer to the physical container itself and, by extension, to the packed collection of food it contains. It is commonly associated with gifts, charity, or provisions for a journey or picnic.
Examples
- We received a generous food hamper from the company for the holidays.
- Volunteers assembled food hampers for families in need.
- She packed a picnic food hamper with cheese, bread, and fruit.
Advanced Usage
- The concept can be extended metaphorically to describe an abundant or assorted supply of something, though this is less common. For example: "The report was a food hamper of new ideas."
Variants and Related Words
- Hamper (noun): A basket or box with a lid, used for storage or carrying goods. A "food hamper" is a subtype of a general hamper.
- Gift basket: A similar concept, but a "gift basket" is not necessarily a hamper (it can be in other types of containers) and is not exclusively for food (it can contain toiletries, wine, etc.).
- Parcel: A more general term for something wrapped up for carrying or sending.
Synonyms
- Food basket
- Provision basket
- Picnic basket (when intended for a picnic)
Antonyms
- There is no direct antonym, but an empty hamper or container could be considered the opposite state.
Related Phrases
- To pack a hamper: The action of filling a hamper with food.
- Hamper of groceries: A phrase specifying the contents as everyday grocery items.
Noun
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a hamper for packing and transporting food
