pail /peɪl/ BrE AmE noun [countable] especially American English
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Probably from Old English pægel , a unit of measurement for liquids ]
1 . a metal or wooden container with a handle, used for carrying liquids SYN bucket :
a milk pail
pail of
a pail of water
2 . ( also pailful /-fʊl/) the amount of liquid a pail will hold