bushel

n. [ OE. buschel, boischel, OF. boissel, bussel, boistel, F. boisseau, LL. bustellus; dim. of bustia, buxida (OF. boiste), fr. pyxida, acc. of L. pyxis box, Gr. pyxi`s. Cf. Box. ] 1. A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Winchester bushel, formerly used in England, contained 2150.42 cubic inches, being the volume of a cylinder 181/2 inches in internal diameter and eight inches in depth. The standard bushel measures, prepared by the United States Government and distributed to the States, hold each 77.6274 pounds of distilled water, at 39.8° Fahr. and 30 inches atmospheric pressure, being the equivalent of the Winchester bushel. The imperial bushel now in use in England is larger than the Winchester bushel, containing 2218.2 cubic inches, or 80 pounds of water at 62° Fahr. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? Mark iv. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap containing ten bushels of apples. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States a large number of articles, bought and sold by the bushel, are measured by weighing, the number of pounds that make a bushel being determined by State law or by local custom. For some articles, as apples, potatoes, etc., heaped measure is required in measuring a bushel. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A large indefinite quantity. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The worthies of antiquity bought the rarest pictures with bushels of gold, without counting the weight or the number of the pieces. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [ Eng. ] In the United States it is called a box. See 4th Bush. [ 1913 Webster ]