Hogshead

//ˈhɒɡzˌhɛd// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A cask of a certain size; its volume used as a measure of capacity for liquids, containing 63 wine gallons, or about 52+¹⁄₂ imperial gallons (a half pipe). British

    "[...] their vessels for use are made some of clay, of which sort some are so great as that they will containe more then one hogshead of water."

  2. 2
    a large cask especially one holding 63 gals wordnet
  3. 3
    A large barrel or cask of indefinite contents, especially one containing from 100 to 140 gallons.

    "[...] Now the Shippe boaring the Moone with her maine Maſt, and anon ſwallowed with yeſt and froth, as you'ld thruſt a Corke into a hogſhead."

  4. 4
    a British unit of capacity for alcoholic beverages wordnet

Etymology

From Late Middle English hogshead, hagyshed, hogeyshed, hoggesyde, hokkeshed, Middle English hoggeshed, hogges-hed, hogeshed, hoggeshede, hoggesheed, hoggesheudes, hoggesheved, hoggishede, hoggisheed, hoggyssehed, hogyshed, hoogeshed (“measure of liquid capacity equivalent to about 63 gallons; large barrel or cask”, literally “hog’s head”), from hog, hogge (“swine, especially a castrated male swine”) + hed (“animal or human head”), equivalent to hog + -s- + head. The connection between the cask and the head of a hog is uncertain, but may refer to the shape of the cask. The word has often been borrowed into other languages as “ox-head”.

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