gallon

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A unit for measuring liquid, equal to about 3.8 litres in the US and 4.5 litres in the UK.

   I needed five gallons of water to fill the pond.

2. 2
   noun

   A large amount of any liquid.

   The pipe burst and gallons of water flooded the kitchen.

From Middle English gallon, galoun, galun, from Old Northern French galun, galon (“liquid measure”) (compare Old French jalon), from Late Latin galum, galus (“measure of wine”), from Vulgar Latin *galla (“vessel”), possibly from Gaulish *galla, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kel- (“goblet”). Cognate with Ancient Greek κύλιξ (kúlix, “cup”), Sanskrit कलश (kalaśa, “jar, pitcher; measure of liquid”). Related to Old French gille (“wine measure”) (from Medieval Latin gillō (“earthenware jar”)), Old French jale (“bowl”), Old French jaloie (“measure of capacity”).

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