puncheon

¹ American  

[puhn-chuhn] / ˈpʌn tʃən /

noun

1. a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).

2. the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.

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puncheon ² American  

[puhn-chuhn] / ˈpʌn tʃən /

noun

1. a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.

2. a short, upright framing timber.

3. (in goldsmith work)

   1. any of various pointed instruments; a punch.

   2. a stamping tool.

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puncheon ¹ British  

/ ˈpʌntʃən /

noun

1. a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons

2. the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure

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puncheon ² British  

/ ˈpʌntʃən /

noun

1. a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut

2. a less common name for punch 2

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Etymology

Origin of puncheon¹

1425–75; Middle English ponchoun, punchon < Middle French ponçon, perhaps to be identified with puncheon ²

Origin of puncheon²

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; point ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Some live in cabins with a huge log wall, Nary a window in it at all, Sandstone chimney and a puncheon floor, Clapboard roof and a button door .

From Time Magazine Archive

After Shipper Gumming had loaded on every puncheon of sugar and molasses the ship would hold, some odd space remained.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the barren slope above Blackjack Mine, Bracky Baldridge owned a garden patch, a shack with puncheon floors, a black birch tree.

From Time Magazine Archive

A fire-place where the great logs roar And shine across the puncheon floor, And through the chinked walls, here and there, The snow steals, and the frosty air.

From Songs Ysame by Bacon, Albion Fellows

Well," he said, "you can drive a winch and sling a palm oil puncheon like a sailorman.

From For Jacinta by Bindloss, Harold