mutchkin

American  

[muhch-kin] / ˈmʌtʃ kɪn /

noun

1. Scot. a unit of liquid measure equal to a little less than a U.S. liquid pint.

2. a container, usually of pewter, holding this quantity.

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mutchkin British  

/ ˈmʌtʃkɪn /

noun

1. a Scottish unit of liquid measure equal to slightly less than one pint

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Etymology

Origin of mutchkin

1375–1425; late Middle English ( Scots ) muchekyn < Middle Dutch mudseken, equivalent to mudse (diminutive of mudde ≪ Latin modius measure of grain) + -ken -kin

Example Sentences

"I know," said Eben, shaking his head, "but they are long-patienced fellows, these sappers—not like cavalrymen or lazy Preventives, who want nothing better than to lie up with a pipe and a mutchkin!"

From Patsy by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

Deevil a fears, if ye're worth the price o' half a mutchkin.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 382, October 1847 by Various

He claimed half a mutchkin as fore-handit fee, An' syne yokit howkin' in Sandy's sair e'e.

From The Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in Scots by Rorie, David

Then fling on coals, and ripe the ribs, And beek the house baith butt and ben; That mutchkin stoup it hauds but dribs, Then let's get in the tappit hen.

From Allan Ramsay Famous Scots Series by Smeaton, William Henry Oliphant

"Hout, deills i' the wife, wi' her saughs, and her sunkies, and Ellangowans—Godsake, woman, let me away—there's saxpence t'ye to buy half a mutchkin, instead o' clavering about thae auld-warld stories."

From Guy Mannering by Scott, Walter, Sir