widow's cruse

noun

: an inexhaustible supply

Word History

Etymology

from the widow's cruse of oil that miraculously supplies Elijah during a famine (I Kings 17:8–16)

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of widow's cruse was in 1729

Dictionary Entries Near widow's cruse

widow's-cross

widow's cruse

widow's frill

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Widow's cruse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widow%27s%20cruse. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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