barrel

barrel [bar′əl, ber′əl]

n.

[ME barel < OFr baril < ML barillus < ?]

1. a large, wooden, cylindrical container with flat, circular ends and sides that bulge outward, made usually of staves bound together with hoops

2. the capacity or contents of a standard barrel, esp. as a unit of measure (in the U.S., 31¹/ ₂ gal, but for petroleum, 42 gal and for fermented beverages, 31 gal; in Gr. Brit., 36 imperial gal; in dry measure, various amounts, as 196 lb of flour, 200 lb of pork or fish, etc.)

3. a revolving cylinder, wound with a chain or rope [the barrel of a windlass]

4. any hollow or solid cylinder [the barrel of a fountain pen]

5. the tube of a gun, through which the projectile is fired

6. the cylindrical case containing the mainspring of a clock or watch

7. the piston chamber of a pump

8. the quill of a feather

9. Informal a great amount [a barrel of fun]

vt.

barreled or barrelled, barreling or barrelling

to put or pack in a barrel or barrels

vi.

☆ Slang to go at high speed

to go at high speed

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☆ have someone over a barrel

Slang to have someone completely at one's mercy, esp. financially