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. sb. 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.
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. Ibid., Stucchio, an estwefe, &c.
1611. Cotgr., Estui, an Ettwee. Ibid., 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, &c.
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.
