Firkin

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Firkin \Fir"kin\, n. [From AS. fe['o]wer four (or an allied
     word, perh. Dutch or Danish) + -kin. See {Four}.]
     1. A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth
        part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine
        imperial gallons. [Eng.]
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, --
        used for butter, lard, etc. [U.S.]
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  firkin
       n 1: a British unit of capacity equal to 9 imperial gallons
       2: a small wooden keg

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Firkin
     Used only in John 2:6; the Attic amphora, equivalent to the
     Hebrew bath (q.v.), a measure for liquids containing about 8 7/8
     gallons.
     

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  FIRKIN. A measure of capacity equal to nine gallons. The word firkin is also 
  used to designate a weight, used for butter and cheese, of fifty-six pounds 
  avoirdupois.