chaldron

American  

[chawl-druhn] / ˈtʃɔl drən /

noun

1. an English dry measure formerly used for coal, coke, lime, and the like, varying locally from 32 to 36 bushels or more.

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chaldron British  

/ ˈtʃɔːldrən /

noun

1. a unit of capacity equal to 36 bushels. Formerly used in the US for the measurement of solids, being equivalent to 1.268 cubic metres. Used in Britain for both solids and liquids, it is equivalent to 1.309 cubic metres

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Etymology

Origin of chaldron

1375–1425; late Middle English, earlier chaudron < Middle French chauderon cauldron

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chaldron

The coal duty raised to 2 s. a chaldron.

From London and the Kingdom - Volume II by Sharpe, Reginald R. (Reginald Robinson)

This locomotive drew sixteen chaldron waggons containing an aggregate weight of seventy tons, at the rate of about three miles an hour. 

From Lives of the Engineers The Locomotive. George and Robert Stephenson by Smiles, Samuel

Wherein there is little doubt but a saving of eight shillings per chaldron will, on the completion of the work, be effected—a most material object for the poor, and the general benefit of commerce. 

From Report of the Knaresbrough Rail-way Committee by Committee, Knaresbrough Rail-way

Cruel King Coal and his merry men, Twenty and five fat rogues were they, Cabbaged fourpence a chaldron first, then ten, And a penny to boot made poor folks pay.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various

The master’s salary is £40 besides his dwelling, and two chaldron of coals yearly.—There is also a private lunatic house, situate near where brazen doors formerly stood.

From A Concise History and Directory of the City of Norwich for 1811 by Berry, C.