firkin

firkin
(fir)
   1. a traditional unit of volume equal to 1/4 barrel or 1/2 kilderkin. Since barrels are of various sizes, the capacity of a firkin varies. Based on the standard U.S. barrel of 31.5 gallons, a firkin would equal 7.875 gallons, 1.05 cubic feet, or about 29.81 liters. Traditional British barrels and firkins are larger; in the Imperial system a firkin holds 1.445 cubic feet or 40.91 liters. The unit is of Dutch origin, and its name is based on the Dutch word vier for four.
   2. a traditional unit of weight for butter and soap, equal to 4 stone or 56 pounds (about 25.40 kilograms).

Dictionary of units of measurement. 2015.

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  • Firkin — Fir kin, n. [From AS. fe[ o]wer four (or an allied word, perh. Dutch or Danish) + kin. See {Four}.] 1. A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. [Eng.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Firkin — (spr. Förkin) englisches Biermaß = 40,891 Litres …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Firkin — (spr. för ), engl. Biermaß, = 9, für Ale in Nordamerika und den brit. Kolonien = 8 Gallons; auch Gewicht für Butter, Käse und Seife = 56, für weiche Seife = 64 Pfund Avoirdupois …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Firkin — (spr. för ), altes engl. Maß für Ale = 8 Gallons (37 l), Porter = 9 Gallons (41,6 l); jetziges Biermaß zu 9 Imperial Gallons = 40,89 l; altes Gewicht für Butter = 56 engl. Handelspfund (25,4 kg), Seife = 64 Handelspfund (29 kg) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Firkin — Firkin, engl. Biermaß, für Ale = 18314/5, für Porter = 20604/5 Par. Kubikzoll …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • firkin — small cask, fourth part of a barrel, late 14c., apparently from M.Du. *vierdekijn, dim. of vierde, lit. fourth, fourth part (see FOURTH (Cf. fourth)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • firkin — [fʉr′kin] n. [ME, contr. < firdekyn < MDu, dim. of vierdel, fourth] 1. a small, wooden tub for butter, lard, etc. 2. a unit of capacity equal to 1/ 4 barrel …   English World dictionary

  • Firkin — A Firkin is an old English unit of volume. The name is derived from the Middle Dutch word vierdekijn, which means fourth, i.e. a fourth of a full size barrel. Nor need you mind the serial ordeal Of being watched from forty cellar holes As if by… …   Wikipedia

  • Firkin — Der (das[1]) Firkin war ein englisches Volumen und Gewichtsmaß und hatte als Flüssigkeitsmaß bei Bier zwei verschiedene Größen. Abhängig war das Maß von der Bierart. Den Unterschied bestimmte das Weizenbier (Alen) oder Gerstenbier (Porter). Die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • firkin — noun /ˈfɜː(r)kɪn/ a) A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. [Eng.] 23 Hen. VIII, cap. 4... The barrel of beer is to hold 36 gallons, the kilderkin 18… …   Wiktionary

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