cruet

[ kroo-it ]

noun

1. a glass bottle, especially one for holding vinegar, oil, etc., for the table.

cruet

/ ˈkruːɪt /

noun

1. a small container for holding pepper, salt, vinegar, oil, etc, at table
2. a set of such containers, esp on a stand
3. Christianity either of a pair of small containers for the wine and water used in the Eucharist
4. a slang word for head
5. do one's cruet slang.
   to be extremely angry; go into a rage

plural noun

1. slang.
   the testicles

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruet¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French cru ( i ) e pitcher (< Frankish *krūka; compare Old English crūce pot) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruet¹

C13: from Anglo-French, diminutive of Old French crue flask, of Germanic origin; compare Old Saxon krūka, Old English crūce pot

Example Sentences

A glass case displays dozens of chalices and wine-and-water cruet sets.

From Seattle Times

They subbed out their footwear for bowling shoes and made their way to the lane where Ms. Tamblyn ordered for everybody: French fries, a platter of fried chicken, a bubbling cruet of macaroni and cheese.

From New York Times

On his tour of the dining hall he collected a good quantity of cutlery and some fine antique cruets.

From Literature

He fought against the image as he and Matt walked to the cruets for the Lavabo.

From Literature

The research led Cage to the Chalice Well in Glastonbury, where “legend had it that in that place was a grail chalice, or two cruets rather, one of blood and one of sweat.”

From Salon

Related Words

• beaker
• bottle
• bucket
• carafe
• decanter
• flask
• jar
• pot
• tub
• urn
• vase