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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.


widow's cruse British  

noun

  1. an endless or unfailing source of supply

"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

Etymology

Origin of widow's cruse

First recorded in 1600–10

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.

If education could help the poor as well help the overall economy, then the leaky bucket would turn into a “widow’s cruse,” with more benefit to the poor than was taken from the rich.

From Forbes

Memories of Elisha and the ravens, of the widow's cruse, of the loaves and fishes, must have floated through the radiant fog in poor Melpomene's mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, like the widow's cruse of old, its casket is never empty, for even when it has given its all, the next needy case will find succour at that door.

From Project Gutenberg

The money collected by Franz was like the contents of the widow's cruse.

From Project Gutenberg

More wonderful still: like the "widow's cruse," this trumpet never grows empty; from its uptilted mouth the flow of song will stream on continuously, if so desired and directed.

From Project Gutenberg