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puncheon

1
[ puhn-chuhn ]
/ ˈpʌn tʃən /
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noun
a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).
the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of puncheon

1
1425–75; Middle English ponchoun, punchon<Middle French ponçon, perhaps to be identified with puncheon2

Other definitions for puncheon (2 of 2)

puncheon2
[ puhn-chuhn ]
/ ˈpʌn tʃən /

noun
a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.
a short, upright framing timber.
(in goldsmith work)
  1. any of various pointed instruments; a punch.
  2. a stamping tool.

Origin of puncheon

2
1325–75; Middle English ponson, punçon, ponchoun<Middle French ponçon<Latin pūnctiōn- (stem of pūnctiō) a pricking, hence, pricking tool, equivalent to pūnct(us) (past participle of pungere to prick; cf. point) + -iōn--ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use puncheon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for puncheon (1 of 2)

puncheon1
/ (ˈpʌntʃən) /

noun
a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons
the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure

Word Origin for puncheon

C15 poncion, from Old French ponchon, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for puncheon (2 of 2)

puncheon2
/ (ˈpʌntʃən) /

noun
a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut
a less common name for punch 2 (def. 1)

Word Origin for puncheon

C14 ponson, from Old French ponçon, from Latin punctiō a puncture, from pungere to prick
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
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