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There's a case for it in a canteen (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cutlery

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'canteen' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cutlery that I've seen before include "Eating irons" , "Eating utensils" , "Knives, forks, etc" , "Knives, forks and spoons" , "Eating implements" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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