bucket

bucket

n.

pl. bucketfuls [buk′it]

n.

[ME boket < Anglo-Fr buket, dim. of OE buc, pitcher, bulging vessel, orig., belly < IE * bhou-, var. of base * bheu-: see BIG]

1. a deep, round container with a flat bottom and a curved handle, used to hold or carry water, coal, etc.; pail

2. the amount held by a bucket: also bucketful n. bucketfuls

3. a thing like a bucket, as a scoop on a steam shovel, any of the cups on a water wheel, or any of the curved vanes in the rotor of a turbine

4. Slang the rump; buttocks

vt., vi.

1. to carry, draw, or lift (water, etc.) in a bucket or buckets

2. to speculate (with) dishonestly as in a bucket shop

3. Brit.

a) to ride (a horse) at a fast pace

b) to move or drive rapidly or recklessly

——————

kick the bucket [? < obs. bucket, beam on which a slaughtered pig was hung]

Slang to die