anker

American  

[ang-ker] / ˈæŋ kər /

noun

plural

ankers

1. a unit of volume formerly used for wine and distilled liquor in some European countries and equal to about 10 gallons, with the exact amount depending on context. The anker was also used in some places settled by the Dutch, such as South Africa and parts of New York.

2. a keg holding about 10 gallons.

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Example Sentences

After wee had strooken sayle and cast anker athwart the Riuer, I determined to goe on shore to discouer the same.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation. Vol. XIII. America. Part II. by Hakluyt, Richard

Den 26en Jan. wierp de vloot voor Malayo het anker uit.

From by

Sixe great Spanish ship arriued in the rode, where foure of our greatest ships remained, which cast anker, assuring our men of good amity.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation. Vol. XIII. America. Part II. by Hakluyt, Richard

The Dutch anker, formerly also used in England, contained about 10 of the old wine gallons, or 8? imperial gallons.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

The 29. wee weighed anker to bring the Tyger into the harbour, where through the vnskilfulnesse of the Master whose name was Fernando, the Admirall strooke on ground, and sunke.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation. Vol. XIII. America. Part II. by Hakluyt, Richard