widow's cruse

American  

noun

1. an inexhaustible supply of something: in allusion to the miracle of the cruse of oil in 1 Kings 17:10–16 and 2 Kings 4:1–7.

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widow's cruse British  

noun

1. an endless or unfailing source of supply

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Etymology

Origin of widow's cruse

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

In the U.S. today, he adds grimly, "There is no widow's cruse."

From Time Magazine Archive

The other 17 were dry as the widow's cruse, were rapidly deteriorating into a useless mass of rust.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the end of the meal Charlie produced the enormous widow's cruse which he called his cigarette-case and offered his father a cigarette.

From Mr. Prohack by Bennett, Arnold

She looked at the coffee-pot and for a moment thought enviously of the widow's cruse.

From Salthaven by Jacobs, W. W. (William Wymark)

Here Bruce found the widow's cruse, and a pallet to repose his weary limbs.

From The Scottish Chiefs by Porter, Jane