amphora

[ am-fer-uh ]
/ ˈæm fər ə /

noun, plural am·pho·rae [am-fuh-ree] /ˈæm fəˌri/, am·pho·ras. Greek and Roman Antiquity.

a large two-handled storage jar having an oval body, usually tapering to a point at the base, with a pair of handles extending from immediately below the lip to the shoulder: used chiefly for oil, wine, etc., and, set on a foot, as a commemorative vase awarded the victors in contests such as the Panathenaic games.
Compare pelike, stamnos.

Origin of amphora

1300–50; Middle English < Latin < Greek amphoreús, equivalent to am(phi)- amphi- + phoreús bearer (i.e., handle), akin to phérein to bear

OTHER WORDS FROM amphora

am·pho·ral, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for amphora

British Dictionary definitions for amphora

amphora
/ (ˈæmfərə) /

noun plural -phorae (-fəˌriː) or -phoras

an ancient Greek or Roman two-handled narrow-necked jar for oil, wine, etc

Word Origin for amphora

C17: from Latin, from Greek amphoreus, from amphi- + phoreus bearer, from pherein to bear