barrel

barrel

bar·rel / ˈbarəl/ • n. 1. a cylindrical container bulging out in the middle, traditionally made of wooden staves with metal hoops around them. ∎  such a container together with its contents: a barrel of beer. ∎  a measure of capacity used for oil and beer usually equal to 42 U.S. gallons (roughly 192 liters). 2. a tube forming part of an object such as a gun or a pen. 3. the belly and loins of a four-legged animal such as a horse. • v. (-reled , -rel·ing ; Brit. -relled, -rel·ling) 1. [intr.] inf. drive or move fast, often heedless of surroundings or conditions: we barreled across the Everglades barreling along the Ventura freeway. 2. [tr.] put into a barrel or barrels. PHRASES: a barrel of laughs inf. a source of fun or amusement: life is not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment. over a barrel inf. in a helpless position; at someone's mercy. with both barrels inf. with unrestrained force or emotion.

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"barrel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"barrel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-barrel.html

"barrel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-barrel.html

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barrel

barrel barrel of salt the emblem of St Rupert, 8th-century bishop of Worms and Salzburg, who encouraged the development of salt-mines near Salzburg.
over a barrel in a helpless position, at someone's mercy. Perhaps referring to the condition of a person who has been rescued from drowning and is placed over a barrel to clear the lungs of water.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "barrel." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "barrel." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-barrel.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "barrel." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-barrel.html

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Barrel

Barrel, counterweighted tube of metal (or, rarely, wood) 1½–2 in. in diameter, known in America as a pipe batten. It is hung on wire-rope or hemp lines from the Grid, and is used to attach scenery or lighting equipment, being referred to in the latter case as a spot bar, or, in America, a light pipe.

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PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Barrel." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Barrel." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Barrel.html

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Barrel." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Barrel.html

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barrel

barrel. Describes a form (barrel-vault) like a half-cylinder or extruded semicircular arch with a smooth underside. A barrel-ceiling is like the underside of a true barrel-vault.

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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "barrel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "barrel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-barrel.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "barrel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-barrel.html

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barrel

barrel n. a tube forming part of a gun: I saw two flashes from the barrel of the gun.
with both barrels informal with unrestrained force or emotion.

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"barrel." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"barrel." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-barrel.html

"barrel." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-barrel.html

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barrel

barrel A standard barrel contains 36 gallons. (36 imperial gallons (UK) = 163.6 L; 36 US gallons = 113.7 L.)

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DAVID A. BENDER. "barrel." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "barrel." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-barrel.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "barrel." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-barrel.html

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barrel

barrel XIV. — (O)F. baril, of uncert. orig.

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T. F. HOAD. "barrel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "barrel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-barrel.html

T. F. HOAD. "barrel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-barrel.html

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barrel

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"barrel." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"barrel." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-barrel.html

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barrel

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"barrel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"barrel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-barrel.html

"barrel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-barrel.html

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