jar

Definition

An earthenware container, either with two or no handles, for holding oil, water, wine, etc., or used for burial.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English jarre (“jar”), from Medieval Latin jarra, or from Middle French jarre (“liquid measure”) (from Old French jare; modern French jarre (“earthenware jar”)), or from Spanish jarra, jarro (“jug, pitcher; mug, stein”), all from Arabic جَرَّة (jarra, “earthen receptacle”). The word is cognate with Italian giara (“jar; crock”), Occitan jarro, Portuguese jarra, jarro (“jug; ewer, pitcher”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Example Sentences

• "She refilled the jar with peanuts today evening."
• "As I was going over the far fam'd Kerry mountain / I met with Captain Farrell [a]nd his money he was counting, / I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier, / Sayin', "Stand and deliver for you are my bold deceiver,["] / O, Whack fol the diddle, / O, Whack fol the diddle, / O, There's whiskey in the jar / O, Whack fol the diddle, / O, Whack fol the diddle, / O, There's whiskey in the jar."
• "[A] certain fisherman, after throwing his nets to no purpose, and beginning to be in despair, succeeded in catching a jar of brass. […] But presently there came out of the jar a vapour, and it rose up towards the heavens, and reached along the face of the earth; and after this, the vapour reached its height, and condensed, and became compact, and waved tremulously, and became an Ufreet (evil spirit), […]"

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