Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small suitcase: A gripsack is a piece of luggage, typically a small bag or case with a handle, used for carrying personal belongings during travel.

Usage

• The word "gripsack" is a somewhat dated or historical term for a small, portable travel bag. It is used to describe a piece of hand luggage.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • He packed his few belongings into a gripsack and left the city.
  • In the old photograph, the traveler is holding a leather gripsack.

Advanced Usage

• The term often evokes imagery from the 19th or early 20th centuries, associated with train travel or itinerant workers.
  • The salesman's gripsack was worn from years of travel on the railway.

Variants and Related Words

• Satchel (n): A bag with a strap, typically used for carrying books or light items.
• Valise (n): A small traveling bag or suitcase.
• Carry-on (n): A small bag for items to be carried onto an airplane.
• Portmanteau (n): A large traveling bag, typically made of leather and opening into two equal parts. (Note: This is generally larger than a gripsack).

Synonyms

• Small suitcase
• Traveling bag
• Overnight bag

Antonyms

• Trunk: A large, sturdy box for transporting belongings.
• Chest: A large, strong box used for storage or transport.

Related Idioms or Phrases

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the word "gripsack." It is used literally to refer to the bag itself.

Noun

1. a small suitcase