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Glite Dictionary
oilcan

oilcan

5.5
A container with a long narrow spout for putting oil on machine parts
  • noun
  • /ˈɔɪlˌkæn/
translation icon : aceitera
  • Here's your oilcan.

Examples

  • She reached for the oilcan to lubricate the squeaky hinges on the door.

  • - Oh, give me the oilcan, quick!

    The Wizard of Oz (1939)

  • Pete, if you bring up the oilcan, we'll be ready for the night.

    Pete's Dragon (1977)

  • How about filling the reserve oilcan?

    Pete's Dragon (1977)

  • Xglotl decanted more of the lubricant into his oilcan.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • To keep the machine running smoothly, he filled the oilcan with fresh oil.

  • The mechanic carefully poured oil from the oilcan into the engine.

Synonyms

jerrycan
vsoilcan
  • UK
1 4.4

A flat container with a handle for carrying fuel or water

is designed to hold and apply oil through a long spout for precise use

How Automatic

lubricator
  • Specialized
1 5.6
grease gun
1 4.4
oilcan
5.5

Surface Forms

oilcan singular
oilcans plural

Morphology

oilcan = oil + can (transparent) = oil + can

A straightforward compound of 'oil' + 'can'; learners can infer it is a can/container for oil.

Etymology

The word oilcan is made from oil and can, where can means 'container'. So an oilcan is a small metal container for oil, often with a long, narrow spout to reach and oil machine parts.