• Firkin

    Pronunciation

    • US IPA: /ˈfɝkɪn/
    • RP IPA: /ˈfɜːkɪn/
    • Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)kɪn

    Origin

    From Middle Dutch *vierdekijn, diminutive of vierde ("fourth"),

    Online Etymology Dictionary

    from vier ("four"), equivalent to fourth + -kin.

    Full definition of firkin

    Noun

    firkin

    (plural firkins)
    1. (British) A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. Eng.
      • 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, p. 205:23 Hen. VIII, cap. 4... The barrel of beer is to hold 36 gallons, the kilderkin 18 gallons the firkin 9. But the barrel, kilderkin, and firkin of ale are to contain 32, 16, and 8 gallons.
    2. (US) A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for butter, lard, etc.
    3. A weight measure for butter, equalling 56 pounds.
    © Wiktionary