Salmanazar

[ sal-muh-naz-er ]

noun

1. a wine bottle holding from 10 to 12 quarts (9.5 to 11.4 liters).

Salmanazar

/ ˌsælməˈnæzə /

noun

1. a wine bottle holding the equivalent of twelve normal bottles (approximately 312 ounces)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Salmanazar¹

First recorded in 1930–35; variant of Shalmaneser, name of biblical king (2 Kings 18:9)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Salmanazar¹

C19: humorous allusion to an Assyrian king mentioned in the Bible (II Kings 17:3); compare jeroboam

Example Sentences

He ticked the sizes off in increasing grades of rarity: the Salmanazar, nine liters; the Nebuchadnezzar, 15 liters, equivalent to 20 standard bottles.

From New York Times

The bottles come in 1.5-liter and 3-liter versions, plus a Salmanazar, which holds 9 liters.

From Seattle Times

A 9-liter bottle — known as a Salmanazar — represents a case.

From Seattle Times

"Well and good," replied Salmanazar; and he summoned Bankala.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, then, thou wilt die," rejoined Salmanazar, settling himself again in his chair.

From Project Gutenberg