Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHEST, n. [Sax. cest or cyst; L. cista; W. cist; Ir. cisde; Gr. κιστη; G. kiste; D. kist; Sw. kista; Dan. kiste. See Chestnut.]

1. A box of wood or other material, in which goods are kept or transported. It differs from a trunk in not being covered with skin or leather.
2. The trunk of the body from the neck to the belly; the thorax. Hence, broad-chested, narrow-chested, having a broad or narrow chest.
3. In commerce, a certain quantity; as, a chest of sugar; a chest of indigo; &c. Chest of drawers is a case of movable boxes called drawers.