(in ancient Egypt) one of four containers with tops in the form of animal heads of the gods, for holding the entrails of a mummy
canopic jar in American English
noun
a jar used in ancient Egypt to contain the entrails of an embalmed body
Also: Canopic jar. Also called: canopic vase
Word origin
[1890–95]This word is first recorded in the period 1890–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cholesterol, neoclassicism, plein-air, takedown, wireless