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kilderkin

kilderkin

9.9
An old British measure for liquids equal to 18 gallons
  • noun
  • /ˈkɪldəˌkɪn/
  • Archaic
: kilderkin
  • A kilderkin was larger than a firkin but smaller than a barrel.

Examples

  • He bought two kilderkins of cider for the festival.

  • Historical records showed taxes levied per kilderkin of beer produced.

  • The brewery once supplied ale in kilderkins to local taverns.

  • The barrel held a full kilderkin of ale.

  • The brewery once supplied ale in kilderkins to local taverns.

  • He bought two kilderkins of cider for the festival.

  • Historical records showed taxes levied per kilderkin of beer produced.

Surface Forms

kilderkin singular
kilderkins plural

Etymology

Kilderkin comes from an old Dutch word for a 'small cask' and includes the ending -kin which means 'little'. So a kilderkin was literally a 'little barrel' used as an old British measure of beer of about 18 gallons.