Catchall

/ˈkætʃˌɔːl/ noun

Definition

A container, category, or term used to hold or include many different things; something designed to handle miscellaneous items.

Etymology

From 'catch' + 'all,' a compound literally meaning 'catch everything.' Emerged in 19th-century English as a practical term for containers and categories that gather mixed items.

Kelly Says

The word 'catchall' is delightfully practical—every house has a catchall drawer, and 'miscellaneous' is basically catchall in Latin form, showing how different languages need words for 'everything else goes here.'

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