demijohn

[ dem-i-jon ]

noun

1. a large bottle having a short, narrow neck, and usually being encased in wickerwork.

demijohn

/ ˈdɛmɪˌdʒɒn /

noun

1. a large bottle with a short narrow neck, often with small handles at the neck and encased in wickerwork

Word History and Origins

Origin of demijohn¹

1760–70; by folk etymology < French dame-jeanne, apparently special use of proper name

Word History and Origins

Origin of demijohn¹

C18: probably by folk etymology from French dame-jeanne, from dame lady + Jeanne Jane

Example Sentences

Instead, he speculates that it was aged briefly in a wooden barrel, then stored in a glass or ceramic container called a demijohn, a common practice at the time.

From New York Times

These wines had only fairly recently found their way into individual bottles, rather than the traditional demijohns in which they had long been sold locally.

From New York Times

We had a demijohn holding a gallon of fresh water and our ration was one capful – about three teaspoons – a day.

From The Guardian

Green glass demijohns sit atop an antique armoire that Colby picked up from a secondhand store.

From Los Angeles Times

What kind of fool would throw out this exciting glass demijohn?

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• beaker
• canteen
• carafe
• chalice
• decanter
• jug
• urn
• vial