hogshead

[ hawgz-hed, hogz- ]

noun

1. a large cask, especially one containing from 63 to 140 gallons (238 to 530 liters).
2. any of various units of liquid measure, especially one equivalent to 63 gallons (238 liters). : hhd

hogshead

/ ˈhɒɡzˌhɛd /

noun

1. a unit of capacity, used esp for alcoholic beverages. It has several values, being 54 imperial gallons in the case of beer and 52.5 imperial gallons in the case of wine
2. a large cask used for shipment of wines and spirits

Word History and Origins

Origin of hogshead¹

1350–1400; Middle English hoggeshed, literally, hog's head; unexplained

Word History and Origins

Origin of hogshead¹

C14: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.

From The Daily Beast

A blob of blue smoke curled out of a hole the size of a hogshead in a steep bank overhung with alders.

From Project Gutenberg

He first tried his machine with only two pounds of powder on a hogshead loaded with stones.

From Project Gutenberg

The powder was set on fire, and up went the stones and the boards of the hogshead and a body of water, many feet into the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind him, the Priests at the golden hogshead, now set free to taste the wine themselves, had lost no time.

From Project Gutenberg

The jar here means a big affair about half the size of a hogshead: I bathed in one this morning.

From Project Gutenberg