Forms: 5 flagan, flakon, 6 flaccon(e, flaccoun, (Sc. flackoun), 6 flagone, 5–9 flaggon, 6– flagon. [ME. flakon, ad. OF. flacon:—earlier flascon:—med.L. flascōn-em: see FLASK sb.]
1. A large bottle for holding wine or other liquors; in early use sometimes spec. a metal bottle with a screw top, such as was carried by pilgrims (cf. FLACON, and quots. 1578, 1647, 1653). arch.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. xiv. 234. And there shalt thou bere with the of my wyn in two flagans of siluer they ar of two galons.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 540. .ii. flaggonys of golde.
1527. Andrew, Brunswyke’s Distyll. Waters, B ij b. Take a flatte flaccon or botell of glas.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, V. xxxii. 592. Gourdes … be oftentimes used (especially of the Pilgrimes) in steede of flagons or bottelles.
1603. Drayton, Odes, v. 25.
| Bring forth your Flaggons (fill’d with sparkling Wine) | |
| Whereon swoln Bacchus, crowned with a vine. |
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 226.
| Yet with thy netted Knapsack, Bisket, Wine, | |
| And bursten-bellied flaggons, be so wise | |
| To carry hatchets, lest a storm arise. |
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. v. 26 What difference is there between a bottle and a flaggon? great difference, for the bottle is stopped and shut up with a stoppel, but the flaggon with a vice.
11794 Sir W. Jones, Hymn to India, Wks. 1799, VI. 540.
| While from their diamond flagons | |
| The feasting Gods exhaustless nectar sip, | |
| Which glows and sparkles on each fragrant lip. |
1847. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, I. ix. 85. Having, with a rueful glance, divided the last drop in the flagon equally between himself and me.
b. Recently applied by wine-merchants to a glass bottle of flattened globular shape with a neck, holding nearly twice the quantity of an ordinary wine-bottle.
2. A large vessel containing a supply of drink for use at table; now esp. one with a handle and spout, and usually a lid.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 7 § 7. Basons, Flaggons, Bottles … or any other such Wares of Tin or Pewter.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. II. 115.
| Did they coyn Pisspots, Bouls, and Flaggons, | |
| Int’ Officers of Horse and Dragoons? |
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, ii. He set the flagon on the table, and sat down.
1883. Manch. Exam., 30 Oct., 8/4. They were supplied with beer in the usual stately German flagons with pewter covers.
b. spec. A vessel of this description, used to hold the wine at the Eucharist.
1485. Churchw. Acc. St. Mary’s Hill, Lond. (Nichols, 1797), 114. A leeske of laton with a flakon.
1662. Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion. And here to lay his hand on every vessel (be it Chalice or Flagon).
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2164/4. Stole … out of the Parish Church of Ashborne … a Silver gilt Flagon.
1872. O. Shipley, Gloss. Eccl. Terms, Flagon, the vessel 1. on the credence for the wine at mass; 2. on the altar, if the chalice be too small.
3. As much as a flagon will hold; also, a flagon and its contents; hence, as a measure of capacity (see quot. 1858).
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. i. 197. Clo. A pestlence on him for a mad Rogue, a pour’d a Flaggon of Renish on my head once.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3906/2 They sent his Grace 36 Flagons of Wine.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 49, 4 Sept., ¶ 10. He had eaten many a meal, drank many a flaggon, and uttered many a reproach.
1830. G. P. R. James, Darnley, xxxviii. Sending ever many a flaggon of wine and hypocras, much to the consolation of the French.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Flagon, a jug; a measure of two quarts.
4. attrib. as flagon-bracelet, -chain, ? a chain-bracelet to which a smelling-bottle (F. flacon) could be attached.
1564–78. Bulleyn, Dial. agst. Pest. (1886), 11. Here is also a Flagone chaine of the hundred angelles that you did giue me in your laste greate Feuer.
1598. Lanc. Wills, II. 97. One flagon cheane viijli … twoe flagon cheane braselette iiijli.
1606. Marston, Parasitaster, IV. i. I was a simple country Ladie, wore gold buttons, trunck sleeues, and flaggon bracelets, in this state of innocency was I brought vp to the Court.
