puncheon
1 Americannoun
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a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters).
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the volume of such a cask, used as a measure.
noun
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a heavy slab of timber, roughly dressed, for use as a floorboard.
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a short, upright framing timber.
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(in goldsmith work)
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any of various pointed instruments; a punch.
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a stamping tool.
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noun
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a large cask of variable capacity, usually between 70 and 120 gallons
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the volume of such a cask used as a liquid measure
noun
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a short wooden post that is used as a vertical strut
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a less common name for punch 2
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; cf. point) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After Shipper Gumming had loaded on every puncheon of sugar and molasses the ship would hold, some odd space remained.
From Time Magazine Archive
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
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
But in Rome the wretched varmints Went to purchase morning garments; Just as they had tapped a puncheon, And Augustus sat at luncheon, Came the mournful story.
From Gaudeamus! Humorous Poems by Joseph Victor von Scheffel
Dey never lets me 'round where dat puncheon is no more.
From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 4 by United States. Work Projects Administration
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
