E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cist (Greek kistê, Latin cista).
A chest or box. Generally used as a coffer for the remains of the dead. The Greek and Roman cist was a deep cylindrical basket made of wickerwork, like a lady’s work-basket. The basket into which voters cast their tablets was called a “cist;” but the mystic cist used in the rites of Cers was latterly made of bronze.
s was latterly made of bronze.
