puncheon

1
[ puhn-chuh n ]
/ ˈpʌn tʃən /

noun

a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).
the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Origin of puncheon

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

Words nearby puncheon

punchball, punchboard, punchbowl, punched card, punched tape, puncheon, punchinello, punching bag, punchy, punctate, punctate hemorrhage

Definition for puncheon (2 of 2)

puncheon2
[ puhn-chuh n ]
/ 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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for puncheon

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