demijohn

[dem-i-jon]

See more synonyms for demijohn on Thesaurus.com

noun

a large bottle having a short, narrow neck, and usually being encased in wickerwork.

Origin of demijohn

1760–70; by folk etymology < French dame-jeanne, apparently special use of proper name

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for demijohn

beaker, jug, vial, urn, chalice, decanter, canteen, carafe, crock, glass, retort, jar, ewer, noggin, bag, bottle, fiasco, flagon, crystal, demijohn

Examples from the Web for demijohn

Historical Examples of demijohn

Put the mixture into a stone jug, or a demijohn, and cork it tightly.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Let it stand six weeks in a demijohn or glass jar, and then bottle it.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Put the liquid into a glass jar or a demijohn, and let it stand a fortnight.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
"I—that demijohn that you took last night," began the Briton nervously.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock
T. S. Stribling
A simple tank can be made from a large water bottle or demijohn.
Boy Scouts Handbook
Boy Scouts of America

British Dictionary definitions for demijohn

demijohn

noun

a large bottle with a short narrow neck, often with small handles at the neck and encased in wickerwork

Word Origin for demijohn

C18: probably by folk etymology from French dame-jeanne, from dame lady + Jeanne Jane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for demijohn

1769, partial translation and word-play from French damejeanne (late 17c.) "Lady Jane," term used for large globular wicker-wrapped bottle, perhaps because its shape suggested a stout woman in the costume of the period. A general Mediterranean word, with forms found in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Arabic.