medicine chest
/'medsintʃest/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A medicine chest is a small cabinet, box, or case designed for storing medicines, medical supplies, and often basic toiletries, typically kept in a home, bathroom, or on a boat.
Usage
A medicine chest is used to organize and safely store household medical items like bandages, pain relievers, antiseptics, and prescription drugs. It is commonly found in a bathroom cabinet or a dedicated storage area for easy access during minor emergencies.
Examples
- Noun:
- She opened the medicine chest to find a bandage for the cut.
- Every boat should have a well-stocked medicine chest for safety.
- He checked the expiration dates on all the items in the bathroom medicine chest.
Advanced Usage
- "A well-stocked medicine chest": This phrase emphasizes that the cabinet contains a complete and adequate supply of essential medical items.
- Preparing a well-stocked medicine chest is an important part of home safety.
Variants and Related Words
- Medicine cabinet (n): Often used interchangeably with "medicine chest," though it can specifically refer to a cabinet with a mirror, mounted on a bathroom wall.
- First-aid kit (n): A portable case containing supplies for giving immediate first aid. While similar, a first-aid kit is often more specialized for trauma and is portable, whereas a medicine chest is a general storage unit.
- Medical kit (n): A general term for any collection of medical supplies.
Synonyms
- Medical cabinet: A more formal term.
- Medicine box/case: Emphasizes the container being a box rather than a cabinet.
Related Phrases
- To raid the medicine chest: To search through it, often urgently, for a needed item.
- I had to raid the medicine chest in the middle of the night for cough syrup.
Noun
- cabinet that holds medicines and toiletries