anker

noun

an·​ker

ˈäŋkər,

ˈa-

plural -s

1

: a unit of capacity:

a

: an old Dutch and German liquid measure used in various countries of Europe especially for spirits and equal to about 9 to 10.5 U.S. gallons (30 to 40 liters)

b

: a U.S. unit equal to 10 gallons (37.85 liters)

c

: a unit of South Africa equal to 7¹/₂ imperial gallons (34.10 liters)

2

: a cask or keg having a capacity of one anker

Word History

Etymology

Dutch, probably from Medieval Latin ancheria, anceria

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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