gallon

Meaning

Noun

• A unit of volume, equivalent to eight pints
• exactly 4.54609 liters; an imperial gallon
• 231 cubic inches or approximately 3.785 liters for liquids (a "U.S. liquid gallon")
• one-eighth of a U.S. bushel or approximately 4.405 liters for dry goods (a "U.S. dry gallon").
• A large quantity (of any liquid).

Origin

• From Middle English gallon, galoun, galun, from Old Northern French galun, galon (compare Old French jalon), from Late Latin galum, galus, from Vulgar Latin *galla ("vessel"), possibly from Gaulish, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kel- ("goblet"). Cognate with Ancient Greek κύλιξ ("cup"), Sanskrit कलश ("jar, pitcher; measure of liquid"). Related to Old French gille ("wine measure") (from Medieval Latin gillō ("earthenware jar")), Old French jale ("bowl"), Old French jaloie ("measure of capacity").