bushel

1
[ boo sh-uh l ]
/ ˈbʊʃ əl /

noun

a unit of dry measure containing 4 pecks, equivalent in the U.S. (and formerly in England) to 2150.42 cubic inches or 35.24 liters (Winchester bushel), and in Great Britain to 2219.36 cubic inches or 36.38 liters (Imperial bushel). Abbreviation: bu., bush.
a container of this capacity.
a unit of weight equal to the weight of a bushel of a given commodity.
a large, unspecified amount or number: a bushel of kisses.

Origin of bushel

1
1250–1300; Middle English bu(i)sshel < Middle French boissel, equivalent to boisse unit of measure (< Gaulish *bostia; compare MIr bas, bos palm of the hand, handbreadth) + -el noun suffix

Definition for bushel (2 of 2)

bushel 2
[ boo sh-uh l ]
/ ˈbʊʃ əl /

verb (used with object), bush·eled, bush·el·ing or (especially British) bush·elled, bush·el·ling.

to alter or repair (a garment).

Origin of bushel

2
1875–80, Americanism; < German bosseln to patch < French bosseler to emboss; see boss2

OTHER WORDS FROM bushel

bush·el·er; especially British, bush·el·ler, noun

Example sentences from the Web for bushel

British Dictionary definitions for bushel (1 of 2)

bushel 1
/ (ˈbʊʃəl) /

noun

a Brit unit of dry or liquid measure equal to 8 Imperial gallons. 1 Imperial bushel is equivalent to 0.036 37 cubic metres
a US unit of dry measure equal to 64 US pints. 1 US bushel is equivalent to 0.035 24 cubic metres
a container with a capacity equal to either of these quantities
US informal a large amount; great deal
hide one's light under a bushel to conceal one's abilities or good qualities

Word Origin for bushel

C14: from Old French boissel, from boisse one sixth of a bushel, of Gaulish origin

British Dictionary definitions for bushel (2 of 2)

bushel 2
/ (ˈbʊʃəl) /

verb -els, -elling, -elled, -els, -eling or -eled

(tr) US to alter or mend (a garment)

Derived forms of bushel

busheller, busheler or bushelman, noun

Word Origin for bushel

C19: probably from German bosseln to do inferior work, patch, from Middle High German bōzeln to beat, from Old High German bōzan

Idioms and Phrases with bushel

bushel

see hide one's light under a bushel.