hot water can

Definitions

A can (often with a spout and handle) filled with hot water, used to warm a room, to keep one's feet warm, or to supply water for such things as shaving, washing, etc.

historical

Examples

“The rest⟳ of us were glad to creep⟳ between blankets, with a mountain of covers on top, and a hot water can inside. What a tale to tell⟳ of balmy Florida!”

“1899, “Australian Prison Discipline,” condensed from an article in Colonial Empire, Shanghai, in Public Opinion, New York, Volume 26, No. 6, p. 174, A third warder proceeds along the doors with a hot water can, and each prisoner who by good conduct has earned the privilege of tea and sugar is supplied with the water to make⟳ his tea.”

““Oh, dear Miss⟳ Honeychurch, you will catch⟳ a chill! And Mr. Beebe here besides. Who would suppose⟳ this is Italy? There is my sister actually nursing the hot-water can; no comforts or proper provisions.””

“After weary waiting at Plymouth they took their seats in the little, cold local train⟳ that was to carry⟳ them another stage⟳ on their journey. Hot-water cans put⟳ in at Plymouth mitigated to some extent the iciness of the compartment.”

“Anyhow, here I am […] quite in the mood to revisit one of those Queen Anne country houses where I awoke on the morning after a dance⟳ and drowsily observed the discreet man-servant putting a hot-water can into the hip-bath, wondering whether he was expecting me to give⟳ him half-a-sovereign or whether five bob would be decent […]”

CEFR level