Forms: α. 4 kyner-, 5 kynder-, 6 kynterkyn, kinderkind, 6–7 kinderkin. β. 4–6 kilderkyn, 5–6 kylder-, 6 kilde-), -kyn, -kin, (6 -ken), 6– kilderkin. [Of Du. or LG. origin: cf. MDu. kinderkin, more commonly kindeken, kinneken (or -kijn), also kyntken, -kijn, kimmekijn (see KEMPKIN, KINKIN), the fourth part of a tun, etc. (cf. Du. kinnetje, a firkin): a dim. form, referred to kintal, quintal, med.L. quintāle, Ger. dial. kindel, kindle (13th c. chindel): see -KIN. (Cf. Grimm s.v. Kindlein2, Verwijs & Verdam s.v. Kindekijn2.) The change of kin- to kil- is app. peculiar to Eng., and is found already in 14th c.]
1. A cask for liquids, fish, etc., of a definite capacity (half a barrel).
By the statute of 1531–2 the kilderkin for beer had to contain 18 gallons, that for ale 16 gallons.
α. a. 1530. Yatton Church-w. Acc. (Som. Rec. Soc.), 146. Payd for ij kynterkynnys to yt cherche howse … viijd.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, V. iii. 135. 50 kinderkins and barrels to cary the small cordage.
1673. S. Parker, Reproof Reh. Transp., 11. Some kinderkins, some hogsheads, some tuns.
β. 1390. Letter Bk. H., Guildhall London, lf. 247. Omnes anguille in undecim barellis et uno kilderkyn. Ibid. Dicti barelli et kilderkyn cum anguillis in eisdem.
1530. Palsgr., 236/1. Kylderken, a vessell, cacque.
1531–2. Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 4. The Ale bruers … have used … to make … theyr barrels kilderkyns and firkyns of moche lasse quantitie contente rate and assisse than they ought to be.
1639. in T. Lechford, Note-bk. (1885), 118. Divers goods … wch were put up in foure chests, three butts,… three kilderkins.
1869. W. Molyneux, Burton-on-Trent, 249. These casks, which consist of kilderkins, barrels, hogsheads, and butts.
attrib. 1565. Act 8 Eliz., c. 9 § 1. Cowpers might have bowght … a thowsand of Kilderkin Boordes for nyne shillings.
2. A cask of this size filled with some commodity; the quantity contained in such a cask; hence, a measure of capacity for various kinds of goods.
It varied, according to commodity, from 16 to 18 old wine gallons; a kilderkin of butter weighed 112 lbs.
α. 1391. Earl Derby’s Exp. (Camden), 96. Pro iij kynerkynes de salmone salso. Ibid., 97. Pro j kynerkyn anguillarum.
1423. Rolls Parlt., IV. 256/2. Nether kynderkyns, Tercianes, and firdekyns of Heryng.
1587. in Wadley, Bristol Wills (1886), 252. A kynterkin of heringes nowe Laden abourd the Peter of Milford.
β. 1392. Earl Derby’s Exp. (Camden), 158. Clerico coquine per manus Johannis Baunche de Linne pro j kilderkyn di. de storgon.
1410. E. E. Wills (E.E.T.S.), 17. Y be-queþe XL. penyworth bred, & 1. kylderkyn of ale, to be spended at my dirige.
1594. Compt Buik D. Wedderburne (S.H.S.), 44. Sauld … 3 kildekins feggis.
1670. Eachard, Cont. Clergy, 85. The last Kilderkin of Drink is near departed.
1737. Berkeley, App. to Querist, III. § 158, Wks. (1871), III. 536. Whether in any foreign market, twopence advance in a kilderkin of corn could greatly affect our trade?
1871. M. Collins, Mrq. & Merch., I. ix. 290. A huge copper kettle, with a tap, holding about a kilderkin.
3. transf. and fig.
1593. Peele, Edw. I., Wks. (Rtldg.), 383/1. Then … pluck out thy spigot, and draw us a fresh pot from the kinder-kind of thy knowledge.
1600. Nashe, Summer’s Last Will, in Hazl., Dodsley, VIII. 57. To broach this little kilderkin of my corpse.
1682. Dryden, Mac Fl., 196. A tun of man in thy large bulk is writ, But sure thow’rt but a kilderkin of wit.
