bottom drawer
Lowest bureau compartment
A bottom drawer is a collection of household items—linens, china, kitchenware—that a young woman traditionally accumulated in anticipation of marriage.
The term is primarily British; Americans say hope chest, referring to the actual container rather than its location.
She'd been adding to her bottom drawer since she was sixteen.
The practice has largely faded with changing marriage customs.
Flax-derived textile
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- towelsCloths for drying
- tableclothFabric dining surface protector
- naperyHousehold table fabrics
placemats · tea towels · pillowcases · sheets · blankets · quilts · embroidery · monogram
Of wedding ceremonies
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- brideWoman getting married
- groomBetrothed man; stable worker
ceremony · nuptials · matrimony · honeymoon · betrothal · dowry · trousseau · wedding gifts
Ribcage region or strongbox
- cedar chestAromatic wooden storage trunk
- hope chestTrunk for marriage preparations
- trunkMain stem or storage
- compartmentEnclosed subdivision of space
keepsake box · linen closet · wardrobe · cabinet · cupboard
Time still to come
- dreamsInvoluntary sleep visions
- aspirationsDeeply held goals
- hopesPositive expectations held
- planningArranging for future events
preparation · saving · collecting · accumulating · prospects · milestones · expectation · intention
Household ceramic dishes
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- glasswareDrinking containers of silica
- dinnerwareVessels for serving meals
- flatwareEating utensils collectively
serveware · teapot · pitcher · vase · casserole · mixing bowls · cookware · kitchenware
linen
Flax-derived textile
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- towelsCloths for drying
- tableclothFabric dining surface protector
napery · placemats · tea towels · pillowcases · sheets · blankets · quilts · embroidery · monogram · heirloom
bridal
Of wedding ceremonies
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- brideWoman getting married
groom · ceremony · nuptials · matrimony · honeymoon · betrothal · dowry · trousseau · wedding gifts · registry
chest
Ribcage region or strongbox
- cedar chestAromatic wooden storage trunk
- hope chestTrunk for marriage preparations
- trunkMain stem or storage
compartment · keepsake box · linen closet · wardrobe · cabinet · cupboard
future
Time still to come
- dreamsInvoluntary sleep visions
- aspirationsDeeply held goals
- hopesPositive expectations held
planning · preparation · saving · collecting · accumulating · prospects · milestones · expectation · intention · readiness
crockery
Household ceramic dishes
- cutleryEating implements collectively
- glasswareDrinking containers of silica
- dinnerwareVessels for serving meals
flatware · serveware · teapot · pitcher · vase · casserole · mixing bowls · cookware · kitchenware · utensils
- drawers
- dresser parts
- marriage giftsdowry, bridewealth, bride price, trousseau, hope chest
- jewelry box partsvelvet lining, compartments, dividers
bottom drawertop drawer
Of superior quality
top shelf · first-rate · upper-class · high-class · top-notch
bottom, drawer, bottoms, bottomed, bottoming, bottomless, drawers, draw, draws