/ ˈbʌkɪt; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( NAmE also pail ) [ C ] an open container with a handle, used for carrying or holding liquids, sand, etc. :
a plastic bucket
( BrE )
They were playing on the beach with their buckets and spades .
2.
[ C ] a large container that is part of a crane or digger and is used for lifting things
—picture at excavator
3.
(also bucket·ful / -fʊl; NAmE /) ( NAmE also pail , pail·ful ) [ C ] the amount contained in a bucket :
two buckets / bucketfuls of water
They used to drink tea by the bucket / bucketful (= in large quantities) .
4.
buckets [ pl. ] ( informal ) a large amount :
To succeed in show business, you need buckets of confidence.
We wept buckets .
He was sweating buckets by the end of the race.
The rain was coming down in buckets (= it was raining very heavily) .
•
IDIOMS
see drop noun , kick verb
■ verb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- bucket down
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French buquet tub, pail, perhaps from Old English būc belly, pitcher .