etui, etwee
(ɛˈtwiː)
Forms: 7 estuife, estwefe, ettuy, ettwee, pl. etweese, 8 etuis, etuy, 7– etwee, 8– etui.
[a. Fr. étui, OF. estui = Pr. estui, estug (med.L. estugium, 1231, Du Cange), according to M. Paul Meyer a vbl. n. f. F. estuier, Pr. estuiar, estugar (:—late L. type *stugāre) to keep, guard, hold in custody. (The Pr. form is inconsistent with the commonly assumed identity with the synonymous Sp. estuche, It. astuccio.) Cf. tweeze n.
In the forms estuife, estwefe in Florio the f may be a misprint for s; if not, these forms suggest some sort of association with huswife subsequently used in the same sense.]
A small case, usually ornamental, for small articles, as bodkins, needles, toothpicks, etc.; formerly also a case for surgical instruments.
| 1611 Florio, Astuccio, an estuife, a pocket cace or little sheath with cizers, bodkin, penknife..in it. ― Stucchio, an estwefe, etc. 1611 Cotgr., Estui, an Ettwee. ― Pennarol de Chirurgien, a Chirurgians Case or Ettuy; the box wherein he carries his Instruments. 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes (1673) 27 Our Knives, Etweese, Keys, Needles. 1710 Steele Tatler No. 245 ¶2 Gold Etuys for Quills, Scissars, Needles, Thimbles. a 1763 Shenstone Wks. (1764) I. 299 The gold etwee, With all its bright inhabitants, shall waste Its melting stores. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl. II. 10 June, He presented..me with a gold etuis. 1811 Pinkerton Petral. II. 112 It is used..in making boxes, socles, handles of knives, etuis, etc. 1859 Thackeray Virgin. xlii, The pearl necklace and the gold etwee. 1883 Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 78 Travelling Bags, Razor Cases, Etuis, etc. |
| attrib. 1828 Webster s.v. Etwee-case, a case for pocket instruments. |