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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
bucketful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: ME & AF buket, buquet, perh. f. OE buc pitcher