puncheon English · revision 1169

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpʌntʃən/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It comes from Middle English ''punchon'', ''ponson'',^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[der|fro|ponchon|t=pointed tool]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|la-vul|*punctio|t=a pricking; a pointed tool]],^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) from Latin ''pūnctus'', the past participle of ''pungere'' “to prick”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[punch]] “tool” is a shortened form of it.^(Etymonline) The cask called a ''puncheon'' is a separate word of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) perhaps the same word, from a mark stamped on the cask.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A short supporting beam or strut (1348 as ''pounchonn'' in Barnhart),^(Barnhart 1995) and a pointed tool for piercing (about 1370).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a tool the word named a dagger (1375), a pointed tool of masons and engravers,^(OED 1989) and from about 1500 a stamp or die for coining.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In building it meant a short upright framing timber (1466),^(OED 1989)^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) and in America a split log or heavy slab with one face smoothed, used for floors.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary) The cask word is recorded from about 1400 for a large barrel of 72 to 120 gallons.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1348 – a short supporting timber.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * about 1370 – a pointed tool.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * about 1400 – ''pynson'', a cask (separate word).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * about 1500 – a stamp or die.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A short upright timber used in structural framing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A heavy, roughly dressed slab of timber with one face finished flat, used as a floorboard.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A pointed, punching or stamping tool, as used by goldsmiths.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A large [[cask]] holding from about 72 to 120 gallons; also the amount it holds.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[punch]]

+ * [[pungent]]

+ * [[puncture]]

+ * [[point]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}