pailful

American  

[peyl-fool] / ˈpeɪlˌfʊl /

noun

pailfuls plural

1. a quantity sufficient to fill a pail.

   a pailful of water.

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Spelling

See -ful.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pailfuls
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pailful

First recorded in 1585–95; pail + -ful

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pailful pailfuls

“Pope!” she whispered again, and it was as though he had had a pailful of ordure thrown in his face.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

She was like a child endeavouring to pour a great pailful of water into a very little cup.

From Consequences by Delafield, E. M.

Alkali lands were abundant and water was scarce; indeed, water fit to drink was seldom found, and frequently the travellers had to seek a stagnant pool, containing not more than a pailful of slimy liquid.

From The Warden of the Plains and Other Stories of Life in the Canadian North-west by Maclean, John

"You've had a pailful, it seems to me, already."

From Amusement Only by Marsh, Richard

Streams newly made from the accumulating water on the heights above flooded their feet to the depths of their shoes, and the rain fell upon them as if by the pailful.

From The Hills of Refuge A Novel by Harben, Will N. (Will Nathaniel)

Even the waiters of these establishments sometimes amused themselves by pouring pailfuls of foul water upon the aggrieved passer-by.

From A History of the Four Georges, Volume I by McCarthy, Justin

If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls.

From The Tempest The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] by Glover, John, librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge

"There's no good way to get in here with a wagon; and, besides, we can't dip up more than two or three pailfuls at a time,—then we must wait for the spring to fill."

From The Young Surveyor; or Jack on the Prairies by Trowbridge, J. T. (John Townsend)

At the end of this time, it is to be kneaded for more than an hour, with three pailfuls of warm water.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

"It certainly isn't a thing to drink in pailfuls."

From Amusement Only by Marsh, Richard