also 7 ankor, 8 anchor. [a. Du. (and Ger.) anker, of uncert. origin; found also in med.L. as anceria, ancheria.]

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  1.  A measure of wine and spirits, used in Holland, North Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. It varies in different countries; that of Rotterdam, formerly also used in England, contains 10 old wine gallons or 81/2 imperial gallons.

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1673.  Pennsylv. Arch., I. 32. Recd one halfe Ankor of Drinke.

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1751.  Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), I. ii. 10. A few anchors of right Nantz.

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1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VI. lxxxi. 371. 2 Stakans = 1 anchor; 6 Anchors = 1 hogshead [in Russia].

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1816.  Gentl. Mag., LXXXVI. II. 217/1. The infused water amounts to 2 or 31/2 ankers in quantity.

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  2.  A cask or keg holding the above quantity.

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c. 1750[?].  Anc. Poems, Bal., etc. (1846), 180. We’ll drink it out of the anker, my boys.

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1848.  in H. Miller, Ramb. Geol., x. 384. Wedging them all fast together, like staves in an anker.

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1863.  W. Baldwin, African Hunt., 290. The little there was we transferred most carefully to the anker.

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  † 3.  As a dry measure of capacity. Obs.

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1597.  Middleton, Wisd. Solom., Wks. V. 336. I fear me that the acres of my field pass the ankers of my seed.

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