kilderkin

American  

[kil-der-kin] / ˈkɪl dər kɪn /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of kilderkin

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

Example Sentences

Alas for him who is condemned to that den the Court, where flattery is sold by the kilderkin, malignity and ill-offices are measured out in bushels, deceit and treachery are weighed by the ton!

From Stories from the Pentamerone by Basile, Giambattista

A tun of man in thy large bulk is writ, But sure thou'rt but a kilderkin of wit.

From English Satires by Smeaton, William Henry Oliphant

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 Tales from "Blackwood," Volume 2 by Various

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 Tales from Blackwood Volume 5 by Various

Was I Diogenes, I would not move out of a kilderkin into a hogshead, though the first had had nothing but small beer in it, and the second reeked claret.

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 5 The Letters of Charles and Mary Lamb, 1796-1820 by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)