cruse

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small earthenware vessel for holding liquids, especially oil or water

   The widow guarded the last cruse of oil in her house.

2. 2
   noun

   an oil lamp made from a small vessel

   A smoking cruse gave the room its only light.

From Middle English crouse and Old English cruse, 'jar or vessel,' from a Germanic family also represented by German Krause and Icelandic krus. The word survives chiefly in biblical and literary language.

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