chaldron

Definition

An old English dry measure, containing four quarters. At London, 36 bushels heaped up, or its equivalent weight, and more than twice as much at Newcastle. Now used exclusively for coal and coke.

Etymology

A collateral form of cauldron.

Example Sentences

• "The celdra or chaldron is employed in some places, especially at Finchale or Wearmouth. It appears to contain four quarters or thereabouts, and is perhaps the original measure of which the quarter is a fraction."
• "The visitors recorded that it [Locomotion] could haul 20 wagons, each holding one Newcastle chaldron of coal (53 cwt.)."
• "????, De Colange. In the United States the chaldron is ordinarily 2,940 lbs, but at New York it is 2,500 lbs."