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suitcase

 
(sūt'kās') pronunciation
n.
A usually rectangular piece of luggage for carrying clothing.


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A dream about a suitcase can have a surprisingly large number of meanings. Some obvious associations are travel (which could also be a symbol of independence) and a place where we store things (which could represent feelings we have stuffed away). Suitcase is also slang for a large pack of cheap beer.


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categories related to 'suitcase'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to suitcase, see:

A typical suitcase
Luggage tags.
A typical trolley case

A suitcase is a general term for a distinguishable form of luggage. It is often a somewhat flat, rectangular-shaped bag with rounded/square corners, either metal, hard plastic or made of cloth, vinyl or leather that more or less keeps its shape. It has a carrying handle on one side and is used mainly for transporting clothes and other possessions during trips. It opens on hinges like a door. Suitcases lock with keys or a combination.

Contents

History

Originally, suitcases were made of wool or linen. Leather also became a popular material for suitcases. It was used to cover wood suitcases or just on its own for collapsible suitcases. It is difficult to document all the materials suitcases have been made out of. Like all produced consumer goods the materials chosen to construct suitcases are truly a product of their time. Wool, wood, leather, metal, plastic, fiber composite even recycled materials are all common suitcase materials. During covered wagon times trunks were a popular form of transporting goods. The ride was rough, so the luggage had to be strong. The theme of suitcases becoming less cumbersome over time could be directly related to the advancement of better transportation.

Construction

The most sturdy suitcases are generally constructed from wood and have a covering that resists gouging and liquid from entering into the interior. The seams can be glued together or stitched with strong nylon thread. Generally the stitched together suitcases hold up over time as compared to the glued construction and have a lock or latch

Many modern suitcases have built-in small wheels enabling them to be pulled along on hard flat surfaces by a fixed or extendable handle or by a retractable or stowable leash. Suitcases are a type of luggage.

A smaller, firmer suitcase, used mainly for transporting papers and office supplies is known as a briefcase.

Variations

Some suitcases that include a telescopic handle and wheels are known as trolley cases. Trolley cases typically have two fixed wheels on one end with the handle located on the opposite for vertical movement.

See also


Translations:

Suitcase

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - kuffert

Nederlands (Dutch)
koffer

Français (French)
n. - valise

Deutsch (German)
n. - Koffer

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - βαλίτσα

Italiano (Italian)
valigia

Português (Portuguese)
n. - mala (f)

Русский (Russian)
небольшой плоский чемодан

Español (Spanish)
n. - maleta, valija

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - resväska

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
手提箱, 衣箱

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 手提箱, 衣箱

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 슈트케이스, 여행가방

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - スーツケース

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) حقيبه سفر‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מזוודה‬


 
 
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American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
The Dream Encyclopedia. The Dreams Encyclopedia. 1995 ©Visible Ink Press (VisibleInkPress.com). All rights reserved.  Read more
Random House Word Menu. © 2010 Write Brothers Inc. Word Menu is a registered trademark of the Estate of Stephen Glazier. Write Brothers Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
 Rhymes. Oxford University Press. © 2006, 2007 All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Suitcase Read more
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