Adjacent Words

Puncheon definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PUNCH'EON, n.
1. A small piece of steel, on the end of which is engraved a figure or letter, in creux or relievo, with which impressions are stamped on metal or other substance; used in coinage, in forming the matrices of types, and in various arts.
2. In carpentry, a piece of timber placed upright between two posts, whose bearing is too great; also, a piece of timber set upright under the ridge of a building, wherein the legs of a couple, etc. are jointed.
3. A measure of liquids, or a cask containing usually 120 gallons. Rum or spirits is imported from the West Indies in puncheons, but there are often called also hogsheads.

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English ponson, punchon, from Anglo-French ponchon pointed tool, support, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *punctiare to prick, pierce, from Latin punctum, supine of pungere — more at pungent Date: 14th century 1. a pointed tool for piercing or for working on stone 2. a. a short upright framing timber b. a split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed II. noun Etymology: Middle English punchon, from Anglo-French ponchon, probably from Middle French poinçon mark on goods certifying their origin Date: 15th century a large cask of varying capacity

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. 1 a short post, esp. one supporting a roof in a coal-mine. 2 = PUNCH(2). Etymology: ME f. OF poinson, po(i)nchon, ult. f. L pungere punct- prick 2. n. hist. a large cask for liquids etc. holding from 72 to 120 gallons. Etymology: ME f. OF poinson, po(i)nchon, of unkn. orig. (prob. not the same as in PUNCHEON(1))

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Puncheon Punch"eon, n. [F. poin[,c]on awl, bodkin, crown, king-post, fr. L. punctio a pricking, fr. pungere to prick. See Pungent, and cf. Punch a tool, Punction.] 1. A figured stamp, die, or punch, used by goldsmiths, cutlers, etc. 2. (Carp.) A short, upright piece of timber in framing; a short post; an intermediate stud. --Oxf. Gloss. 3. A split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed; as, a floor made of puncheons. [U.S.] --Bartlett. 4. [F. poin[,c]on, perh. the same as poin[,c]on an awl.] A cask containing, sometimes 84, sometimes 120, gallons.