What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Firkin vs Tun - What's the difference?

firkin | tun |

As nouns the difference between firkin and tun

is that firkin is a varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. [Eng. while tun is a large cask; an oblong vessel bulging in the middle, like a pipe or puncheon, and girt with hoops; a wine cask.

As a verb tun is

to put into tuns, or casks.

firkin

English

(wikipedia firkin)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (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.
  • (US) A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for butter, lard, etc.
  • A weight measure for butter, equalling 56 pounds.

    • References

    tun

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A large cask; an oblong vessel bulging in the middle, like a pipe or puncheon, and girt with hoops; a wine cask.
  • (brewing) A fermenting vat.
  • An old English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 252 wine gallons; equal to two pipes.
  • * 1882 , James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England , p. 205:
    • Again, by 28 Hen. VIII, cap. 14, it is re-enacted that the tun of wine should contain 252 gallons, a butt of Malmsey 126 gallons, a pipe 126 gallons, a tercian or puncheon 84 gallons, a hogshead 63 gallons, a tierce 41 gallons, a barrel 31.5 gallons, a rundlet 18.5 gallons.
  • A weight of 2,240 pounds.
  • An indefinite large quantity.
    • "He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit,
    This tun of treasure; and, in lieu of this, Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim Hear no more of you. " -- Shakespeare
  • * (rfdate) Dryden
    • A tun of man in thy large bulk is writ.
  • (archaic, humorous, or, derogatory) A drunkard.
  • (zoology) Any shell belonging to and allied genera; called also tun-shell.
  • A part of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar system which corresponds to 18 winal cycles or 360 days.

    • Verb

  • To put into tuns, or casks.
    • (Boyle)

    Anagrams

    * ----