flask

¹

[flask, flahsk]

noun

1. a bottle, usually of glass, having a rounded body and a narrow neck, used especially in laboratory experimentation.

2. a flat metal or glass bottle for carrying in the pocket.

   a flask of brandy.

3. an iron container for shipping mercury, holding a standard commercial unit of 76 pounds (34 kilograms).

4. Metallurgy.,  a container into which sand is rammed around a pattern to form a mold.

flask

²

[flask, flahsk]

noun

Ordnance.

1. the armored plates making up the sides of a gun-carriage trail.

2. Obsolete.,  the bed of a gun carriage.

flask

/ flɑːsk /

noun

1. a bottle with a narrow neck, esp used in a laboratory or for wine, oil, etc

2. Also called: hip flask. a small flattened container of glass or metal designed to be carried in a pocket, esp for liquor

3. See powder flask

4. a container packed with sand to form a mould in a foundry

5. See vacuum flask

6. Also called: cask.  coffin. engineering a container used for transporting irradiated nuclear fuel

flask

1. A rounded container with a long neck, used in laboratories.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flask¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English: “cask, keg,” from Anglo-French, Old French flaske, Late Latin flasca, earlier flascō, of uncertain origin; compare Old English flasce, flaxe, Old High German flasca ( German flasche ); flagon

Origin of flask²

1570–80; < dialectal French flasque cheek of a gun carriage < Late Latin flasca flask ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of flask¹

C14: from Old French flasque, flaske , from Medieval Latin flasca, flasco , perhaps of Germanic origin; compare Old English flasce, flaxe

Example Sentences

Miss Mortimer lifted a flask of orange goo and gave it a thoughtful swirl.

Read more on Literature

As for their governess, Miss Penelope Lumley: Her preparations involved making a trip to the kitchen for a flask of cold, fresh milk and a large supply of biscuits.

Read more on Literature

Some of the show’s drama stems from these gaps in faith, as when one woman brings a flask to a baby blessing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead of Spanish wine, I brought a flask of mezcal — I don’t think he would have minded the stiffer drink in this 2025.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was handed a flask of hot chocolate and some warm clothes, before he and Josh were helped out of the mine to be reunited with Kate.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• beaker 
• canteen 
• carafe 
• chalice 
• decanter 
• jug 
• urn 
• vial