[app. a corruption of CATTY, Malay kati, a weight equal to 11/5 lb. avoirdupois.]
1. A small box for holding tea. Usually tea-caddy.
1791. Madras Courier, 2 Dec. (Y.). A Quantity of Tea in Quarter Chests and Caddies, imported last season.
1793. Cowper, To Lady Hesketh, 19 Jan. (R.). When you went you took with you the key of the caddy.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, xii. 133. The best tea-tray and caddy.
1868. F. E. Paget, Lucretia, 198. This house … instead of looking like a tea-caddy … might rather be said to resemble a litter of caddies.
2. U.S. A can with a lid, for water, etc.
1883. E. Ingersoll, in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 201/1. Near where his coat and saw and water caddy are lying.
