What is "canteen"

Canteen \Can*teen"\ (k[a^]n*t[=e]n"), n. [F. cantine bottle case, canteen (cf. Sp. & It. cantina cellar, bottle case), either contr. fr. It. canovettina, dim. of canova cellar, or, more likely, fr. OF. cant. corner, It. & Sp. canto. See 1st Cant.] (Mil.)

1. A small vessel used by soldiers or hikers for carrying water, liquor, or other drink. [Written also cantine.]

   Note: In 1910 in the English service the canteen is made of wood and holds three pints; in the United States it is usually a tin flask.

2. A chest containing culinary and other vessels for military officers in a garrison.

3. The sutler's shop in a garrison.

4. Hence: A store or small shop within a larger establishment where refreshments and sometimes other supplies are sold. At a military base the canteen may be as large as a general store; within a school or small company it may be only a small counter with very limited supplies, or a snack bar.

5. A temporary location where food is dispensed during an emergency.

c.1710, "store in a military camp," from French cantine "sutler's shop" (17c.), from Italian cantina "wine cellar, vault," which is perhaps another of the many meanings that were attached to Latin canto "corner;" in this case, perhaps "corner for storage." A Gaulish origin also has been proposed. Extended to "refreshment room at a military base, school, etc." from 1870. Meaning "small tin for water or liquor, carried by soldiers on the march, campers, etc." is from 1744, from a sense in French.

n. 1 A small cafeteria or snack bar, especially one in a military establishment, school, or place of work. 2 A temporary or mobile café used in an emergency or on a film location etc. 3 A box with compartments for storing eating utensils, silverware etc. 4 A military mess kit. 5 A water bottle used by a soldier or camper.

1. n. a flask for carrying water; used by soldiers or travelers

2. sells food and personal items to personnel at an institution or school or camp etc.

3. a restaurant outside; often for soldiers or policemen [syn: mobile canteen]

4. a recreation room in an institution

5. restaurant in a factory; where workers can eat

A canteen is a drinking water bottle designed to be used by hikers, campers, soldiers and workers in the field. It is usually fitted with a shoulder strap or means for fastening it to a belt, and may be covered with a cloth bag and padding to protect the bottle and insulate the contents. If the padding is soaked with water, evaporative cooling can help keep the contents of the bottle cool. Many canteens also include a nested canteen cup.

Primitive canteens were sometimes made of hollowed-out gourds, such as a calabash, or were bags made of leather.

Later, canteens consisted of a glass bottle in a woven basket cover. The bottle was usually closed with a cork stopper.

Designs of the mid-1900s were made of metal — tin-plated steel, stainless steel or aluminium — with a screw cap, the cap frequently being secured to the bottle neck with a short chain or strap to prevent loss. These were an improvement over glass bottles, but were subject to developing pinhole leaks if dented, dropped or bumped against jagged rocks.

Contemporary designs are almost exclusively made of one of several types of plastics, especially polyethylene or polycarbonate. They are typically as light as, or lighter than, their metal equivalents and are quite resistant to developing leaks, even when dropped or severely bumped.

Hunter-gatherers in the Kalahari use ostrich eggshell as water containers in which they puncture a hole to enable them to be used as canteens. The presence of such eggshells dating from the Howiesons Poort period of the Middle Stone Age at Diepkloof Rock Shelter in South Africa suggests canteens were used by humans as early as 60,000 years ago.

Canteen is an English-language literary and arts magazine published twice a year. Founded in 2007 by publisher Stephen Pierson, editor-in-chief Sean Finney, executive editor Mia Lipman, and former art director Sai Sriskandarajah, the magazine asks its contributors to reveal their creative process to the reader. As described by Finney, "Canteen is the literary magazine that comes with instructions." "Canteen was born at the restaurant of the same name in San Francisco, where chef Dennis Leary hosted literary salons." The magazine has offices in Brooklyn, NY, and San Francisco, CA.

CanTeen, The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with cancer, is the national support organisation for young people (aged 12–24) living with cancer; including cancer patients, their brothers and sisters and young people with parents or primary carers with cancer.

CanTeen was created by young cancer patients back in 1985 and its policies are guided by young people living with cancer. Also present in New Zealand.

On the last Friday of October, CanTeen hold National Bandanna Day (NBD) where Bandannas are sold to fundraise. National Bandanna Day is CanTeen’s largest fundraiser and this year (2015) it will be held on Friday 30 October. They're aiming to raise $1.25 million to support young people living with cancer. Every year, another 23,000 young people (63 a day) have to deal with the challenge of cancer. Bandannas play a significant role as a symbol of hope and empowerment for people who are affected by cancer and are worn during their cancer journey.

CanTeen helps young people cope with cancer in their family. Through CanTeen, they learn to explore and deal with their feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and if they’ve been diagnosed themselves, CanTeen also provides specialist, youth-specific treatment teams. By feeling understood and supported, young people develop resilience and can rebuild the foundations that crumbled beneath them when cancer turned their life upside down. CanTeen works by having young people at the centre of everything they do. They were set up by a group of young cancer patients in 1985 and still have young people affected by cancer guiding the organisation at every level.

Combined with their leading edge research into the emotional and social impacts of cancer, it ensures that they truly understand how cancer is different in a young person’s world.

Peer support

Through CanTeen, young people affected by cancer can meet and be supported by others their age who truly understand what they’re going through. They can share experiences through the online community or attend CanTeen Camps or Recreation Days, where they can make new friends, develop coping skills and have a lot of fun too.

Counselling

CanTeen’s specially trained counsellors give young people a safe space to talk about difficult thoughts and feelings and help them develop coping strategies. Sadness, anxiety and grief don’t stick to business hours so neither do CanTeen. Online and phone counselling is available seven days a week. Or you can also meet a counsellor face to face.

Information and advice

CanTeen has information and advice about the challenges young people face, from how to talk to friends about cancer to what all the medical jargon means. They can find answers at canteen.org.au where they can also download or order books tailored to their specific cancer experience.

Youth Cancer Services

Funded by CanTeen as well as Federal, State and Territory health departments, the Youth Cancer Services provide specialist, age-appropriate medical treatment and psychological support for young people with cancer.

Online support

CanTeen provides world-leading online support for young people living with cancer. At canteen.org.au, they have 24/7 access to a secure online community just for young people like them and can chat to a counsellor using instant messaging or email.

Leadership development

CanTeen is passionate about empowerment and is proud to have young people providing direction and advice at all levels of the organisation, including the Board of Directors. Being a Member-led organisation ensures that every aspect of CanTeen’s work is informed by young people so that they get the services, programs and information right. Any young person that receives support from CanTeen can put themselves forward to participate in the organisation’s governance structure. Each local CanTeen Division has a committee that meets regularly to oversee the planning of programs and activities within the Division. Young people hold the majority of positions on those committees. Each Division also elects one Member to sit on the Member Advisory Council and advise the Board.

CanTeen’s Board of Directors consists of five Member Directors and four Associate Directors, volunteers who bring relevant experience to the Board. CanTeen's Constitution requires that the President and Vice-President are CanTeen Members, and that all votes of the Board include a majority of Member Votes.