puncheon

¹

[ puhn-chuhn ]

noun

1. a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).
2. the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.

puncheon

²

[ puhn-chuhn ]

noun

1. a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.
2. a short, upright framing timber.
3. (in goldsmith work)
   1. any of various pointed instruments; a punch.
   2. a stamping tool.

puncheon

¹

/ ˈpʌntʃən /

noun

1. a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons
2. the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure

puncheon

²

/ ˈpʌntʃən /

noun

1. a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut
2. See punch
   a less common name for punch 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of puncheon¹

1425–75; Middle English ponchoun, punchon < Middle French ponçon, perhaps to be identified with puncheon ²

Origin of puncheon²

1325–75; Middle English ponson, punçon, ponchoun < Middle French ponçon < Latin pūnctiōn- (stem of pūnctiō ) a pricking, hence, pricking tool, equivalent to pūnct ( us ) (past participle of pungere to prick; point ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of puncheon¹

C15 poncion, from Old French ponchon, of uncertain origin

Origin of puncheon²

C14 ponson, from Old French ponçon, from Latin punctiō a puncture, from pungere to prick

Example Sentences

I watched the bar of sunlight slowly move over the rough puncheon floor.

From Project Gutenberg

As cautiously as possible we removed several of the puncheon slabs next to the wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Puncheon floors used t' be good enough fer anybody t' dance on.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, grudgingly, it rumbled over the puncheon floor until Cooper set the four chocks back under the wheels.

From Project Gutenberg

An hour later we came upon a small log cabin, having a roof of spruce bark, no floor, but a puncheon door and one window.

From Project Gutenberg