I. ˈvesəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English vessel, vesselle, from Old French vassel, vaissel, vessel receptacle, container (from Late Latin vascellum, diminutive of Latin vas vessel, vase) + vassele, vaissele, vessele domestic receptacles collectively, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin vascella, from Late Latin, plural of vascellum — more at vase
1.
a. obsolete : domestic containers or utensils ; specifically : plate 3a
b. dialect Britain : cutlery, dishes, and other table furnishing
had to wash up the vessel before she could leave
2.
a. : a hollow and usually cylindrical or concave utensil (as a hogshead, bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something and especially a liquid : a receptacle of tight construction sometimes as distinguished from one (as a basket) of slack or open construction
set a large copper vessel over the fire
alchemists' flasks and similar vessels
b. : a person that is the receptacle of something ; especially : one in whom a divine action is manifested
c. dialect England : the udder of a cow
3.
a. : a usually hollow structure used on or in the water for purposes of navigation : a craft for navigation of the water ; especially : a watercraft or structure with its equipment whether self-propelled or not that is used or capable of being used as a means of transportation in navigation or commerce on water and that usually excludes small rowboats and sailboats
b. : any of various aircraft ; especially : an airplane (as a hydroplane) that is capable of being used on water
4.
a. : a tube or canal (as an artery, vein, or lymphatic) in which a body fluid (as blood or lymph) is contained and conveyed or circulated
b. : a conducting tube in a vascular plant formed in the xylem by the fusion and loss of end walls of a series of cells — compare tracheid
II. ˈvesəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: a piece of paper 1/8 of a sheet of foolscap (about 7 in. × 4 1/2 in.)