Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BARREL, n. A dry measure varying in different localities and with different goods.Crm., Rs. 1855 J. C. Morton Cyclop. Agric. II. 1123:
Barrel. Of limestone, 32 gallons English.Bnff.² 1933:
Barrel, when used as a measure of coal signifies 1 ¼ cwt.Mearns 1855 J. C. Morton Cyclop. Agric. II. 1123:
Barrel. Of flax, 18 pecks.Ags.¹ 1933:
In Montrose coals used to be sold by the barrel.