Definition of the word pack away

The phrase "pack away" can be traced back to the Middle English period, around the 14th century. It initially referred to the action of packing goods and merchandise into chests or baskets for storage or transportation. The word "pack" originated from the Old English word "paccan", meaning "to press closely together", while "away" derived from the Old English word "āwe", which meant "out of sight". As the concept of packing goods became more commonplace during the Middle Ages, so too did the usage of "pack away". It initially related more specifically to packing goods onto a ship or onto wagons, reflecting the primacy of transportation in medieval life. Over time, the meaning of "pack away" expanded to include the action of putting away household items, such as dishes, into storage, as the concept of domesticity became more widespread during the Renaissance and beyond. Today, the phrase "pack away" is used widely in everyday English, both in reference to packing goods for transportation as well as putting things away in one's home. Its etymological roots, however, remain grounded in the centuries-old practices of medieval English society, where packing and storage were fundamental aspects of daily life.