Suitcase

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A typical suitcase
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A typical suitcase

A suitcase is a somewhat flat rectangular-shaped bag with rounded corners, either hard plastic or soft (made of cloth or vinyl or leather that more or less keeps its shape). It has a convenient carrying handle on one side and is used mainly for transporting clothes and other possessions during trips. It opens on hinges like a clam-shell. Suitcases lock with keys or a combination. Originally, suitcases were made of leather or cardboard.

Most modern suitcases have built-in small wheels enabling them to be pulled along on hard flat surfaces by a fixed or extendable handle or by a retractable or stowable leash. Suitcases are a type of luggage.

A smaller, firmer suitcase, used mainly for transporting papers and office supplies is known as a briefcase.

Luggage tags.
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Luggage tags.

Airlines attach tags to luggage which is transported as checked luggage. (Such checked luggage can be lost or delayed, a significant worry for travelers.) Due to current security concerns, checked luggage must be scanned and/or inspected.

[edit] See also

The French variation of the word is Portmanteau (travelling case).

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