noun

hogshead

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Hogshead (noun) means a large cask used to measure liquid, holding around sixty-three wine gallons, roughly half a pipe.

noun

A large cask used to measure liquid, holding around sixty-three wine gallons, roughly half a pipe.

"Barrels came in firkins, nine gallons; kilderkins, eighteen gallons; halves, twenty-seven gallons; barrels, thirty-six gallons and hogsheads, fifty-four." — Keith Dunstan, The Amber Nectar (1987)

A big barrel that can hold varying amounts, often somewhere between a hundred and a hundred and forty gallons.

"With his silly toupee, like the coat of a shaggy poodle, and his tight Continental tailoring, ill suited to his hogshead physique, Mel was a vision of disingenuousness." — Scott Turow (1999)

"Over men and horses, hoops and garters, Lastly through a hogshead of real fire. In this way, Mr. K. will challenge the world." — “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (1967)

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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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”.

Rhymes for hogshead

head read lead dead bead mead bread plead tread ahead dread knead

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of hogshead?

"hogshead" (noun) means a large cask used to measure liquid, holding around sixty-three wine gallons, roughly half a pipe.

What are the different meanings of hogshead?

"hogshead" has 2 main meanings: 1. A large cask used to measure liquid, holding around sixty-three wine gallons, roughly half a pipe; 2. A big barrel that can hold varying amounts, often somewhere between a hundred and a hundred and forty gallons.