flask

¹

[flask, flahsk]

noun

1. a bottle, usually of glass, having a rounded body and a narrow neck, used especially in laboratory experimentation.

2. a flat metal or glass bottle for carrying in the pocket.

   a flask of brandy.

3. an iron container for shipping mercury, holding a standard commercial unit of 76 pounds (34 kilograms).

4. Metallurgy.,  a container into which sand is rammed around a pattern to form a mold.

flask

²

[flask, flahsk]

noun

Ordnance.

1. the armored plates making up the sides of a gun-carriage trail.

2. Obsolete.,  the bed of a gun carriage.

flask

/ flɑːsk /

noun

1. a bottle with a narrow neck, esp used in a laboratory or for wine, oil, etc

2. Also called: hip flask. a small flattened container of glass or metal designed to be carried in a pocket, esp for liquor

3. See powder flask

4. a container packed with sand to form a mould in a foundry

5. See vacuum flask

6. Also called: cask.  coffin. engineering a container used for transporting irradiated nuclear fuel

flask

1. A rounded container with a long neck, used in laboratories.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flask¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English: “cask, keg,” from Anglo-French, Old French flaske, Late Latin flasca, earlier flascō, of uncertain origin; compare Old English flasce, flaxe, Old High German flasca ( German flasche ); flagon

Origin of flask²

1570–80; < dialectal French flasque cheek of a gun carriage < Late Latin flasca flask ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of flask¹

C14: from Old French flasque, flaske , from Medieval Latin flasca, flasco , perhaps of Germanic origin; compare Old English flasce, flaxe

Example Sentences

Instead of Spanish wine, I brought a flask of mezcal — I don’t think he would have minded the stiffer drink in this 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

He was handed a flask of hot chocolate and some warm clothes, before he and Josh were helped out of the mine to be reunited with Kate.

From BBC

After a period spent cooling in ponds on the site, the elements were packaged into 350 large flasks for long-term storage.

From BBC

Now she sips Don Julio 70 from a diamond-shaped flask and unapologetically belts her lyrics of resilience to a packed theater.

From Los Angeles Times

He used to carry a tiny flask of it in his man purse to dribble onto meals at restaurants.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beaker 
• canteen 
• carafe 
• chalice 
• decanter 
• jug 
• urn 
• vial