n.
- a cylindrical container bulging out in the middle, traditionally made of wooden staves enclosed by metal hoops.
▸a measure of capacity for oil and beer, equal to 36 imperial gallons for beer and 35 imperial gallons or 42 US gallons (roughly 159 litres) for oil.
- a cylindrical tube forming part of an object such as a gun or a pen.
- the belly and loins of a four-legged animal such as a horse.
v.
(barrels, barrelling, barrelled; US barrels, barreling, barreled)
- informal, chiefly N. Amer. drive or move very fast.
- put into a barrel or barrels.
Phrase
- over a barrel
informal in a severely disadvantageous position. - with both barrels
informal with unrestrained force.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. baril, from med. L. barriclus ‘small cask’.
