kilderkin

[ kil-der-kin ]

noun

1. a unit of capacity, usually equal to half a barrel or two firkins.
2. an English unit of capacity, equal to 18 imperial gallons (82 liters).

kilderkin

/ ˈkɪldəkɪn /

noun

1. an obsolete unit of liquid capacity equal to 16 or 18 Imperial gallons or of dry capacity equal to 16 or 18 wine gallons
2. a cask capable of holding a kilderkin

Word History and Origins

Origin of kilderkin¹

1350–1400; Middle English, dissimilated variant of kinderkin < Middle Dutch, equivalent to kinder (≪ Arabic qinṭār quintal ) + -kin -kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of kilderkin¹

C14: from Middle Dutch kindekijn, from kintal hundredweight, from Medieval Latin quintale; see kentledge

Example Sentences

So the wine-grower pours likewise into the great vat his "deputy-tax," wherein he reckons a gulden for a kilderkin, and the "red Jew" draws it out again at two gulden a kilderkin.

From Project Gutenberg

A length of seven feet six inches are used for herring barrels, and are called kilderkins, after the name of the size of tub.

From Project Gutenberg

Bagsby, as the individual least competent to enforce order, was called to the chair, and seated upon a kilderkin of Bordeaux, with a spigot as the emblem of authority.

From Project Gutenberg

His enormous legs seemed calculated by nature to embrace the body of his charger, and he sat erect like an overgrown Bacchus bestriding a kilderkin of beer.

From Project Gutenberg

On arriving at Blyth, they stopped at the door of an individual who was to receive forty kilderkins of Hollands from the lugger, and a quantity of tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg