bucket, noun

Origin:
EnglishShow more Special sense of general English.
obs. except in historical contexts
A measure of approximately 5 kg or 12 lbs by weight, used especially in measuring farm produce.
1850 J.D. Lewins Diary. 21 MayGot 2 buckets potatos from Wilgemoed’s.
1889 A Housewife of the Colony Col. Hsehold Guide 124Boil [the pork] in say three gallons of water, 1 bucket of salt, 1 oz cloves, 2 lbs brown sugar and 2 tablespoonsful potash.
1904 Argus Christmas Annual (Competition Sect.) p.viiThe charge per ‘bucket’ varies, but the weight should be 10 lbs. for onions and 12 lbs. for potatoes.
[1958 A. Jackson Trader on Veld 45Two 25-lbs. ‘buckets of mealies’, one bucket (25 lbs.) of unsifted boermeal.]
1986 Fair Lady 16 Apr.Pine-e-apples, swe-et pine-e-apples, three for a bob, fresh potatoes, shilling a bucket.
A measure of approximately 5 kg or 12 lbs by weight, used especially in measuring farm produce.
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