Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
hogshead [hawgz-hed, hogz-] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for hogshead on Thesaurus.com noun
- a large cask, especially one containing from 63 to 140 gallons (238 to 530 liters).
- any of various units of liquid measure, especially one equivalent to 63 gallons (238 liters). Abbreviation: hhd
Origin of hogshead 1350–1400; Middle English hoggeshed, literally, hog’s head; unexplained Related Words for hogshead drum, keg, cask, vessel, barrel, vat Examples from the Web for hogshead Contemporary Examples of hogshead
“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?
Lizzie Crocker
December 29, 2014
Historical Examples of hogshead
They have brought a hogshead of beer, and are broaching it upon the high altar.
Arthur Conan Doyle
When in hospital, chance had given him Hogshead Geoffrey for bed-neighbour.
Pierre Souvestre
Then, to repeat my interrogatory, what was you a doing of with the kitten in the hogshead?
Horatio Alger
I wish Mr. Schultz were in a hogshead of it, with the top on.
John Ruskin
The utmost of his generosity to Amhurst, that I ever heard of, was a hogshead of claret!
Sir Walter Scott
British Dictionary definitions for hogshead hogshead noun
- a unit of capacity, used esp for alcoholic beverages. It has several values, being 54 imperial gallons in the case of beer and 52.5 imperial gallons in the case of wine
- a large cask used for shipment of wines and spirits
Word Origin for hogshead C14: of obscure origin Word Origin and History for hogshead n.
“large cask or barrel,” late 14c., presumably on some perceived resemblance. The original liquid measure was 63 old wine gallons (by a statute of 1423); later anywhere from 100 to 140 gallons. Borrowed into other Germanic languages, oddly, as ox-head (cf. Dutch okshoofd, German oxhoft, Swedish oxhufvud).