n. & v.
n. 1 a a roughly cylindrical open container, esp. of metal, with a handle, used for carrying, drawing, or holding water etc. b the amount contained in this (need three buckets to fill the bath). 2 (in pl.) large quantities of liquid, esp. rain or tears (wept buckets). 3 a compartment on the outer edge of a water wheel. 4 the scoop of a dredger or a grain-elevator.
v. (bucketed, bucketing) 1 intr. & tr. (often foll. by along) Brit. move or drive jerkily or bumpily. 2 intr. (often foll. by down) (of liquid, esp. rain) pour heavily. bucket seat a seat with a rounded back to fit one person, esp. in a car. bucket-shop 1 an office for gambling in stocks, speculating on markets, etc. 2 colloq. a travel agency specializing in cheap air tickets. bucketful n. (pl. -fuls).
[ ME & AF buket, buquet, perh. f. OE buc pitcher ]