decanter
(dɪˈkæntə(r))
[f. decant v.1 + -er.]
1. One who decants.
| 1758 Dyche, Decanter, one that pours or racks off liquor from the lees into other vessels. 1828 in Webster; and in mod. Dicts. |
2. A vessel used for decanting or receiving decanted liquors: spec. a bottle of clear flint or cut glass, with a stopper, in which wine is brought to the table, and from which the glasses are filled.
[The Dictionaries have variously explained the word from the etymological point of view:
| 1715 Kersey, Decanter, a Bottle made of clear Flint-Glass for the holding of Wine, etc. to be pour'd off into a Drinking-Glass. 1755 Johnson, Decanter, a glass vessel made for pouring off liquor clear from the lees. 1775 Ash, Decanter, the vessel that contains the liquor after it has been decanted. 1818 Todd, Decanter, a glass vessel made for receiving liquor clear from the lees.] |
| 1712 Lond. Gaz. No. 5041/3 A pair of Silver Decanters of 20 Guineas value. 1713 Addison Guardian No. 162 ¶5 The Barmecide..then filled both their glasses out of an empty decanter. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 237 We had..water in large silver decanters, that held, at least, five quarts apiece; these stood in our chamber. 1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 44 Keep this liquor in a glass decanter well stopped. 1849 Lytton Caxtons 46 In virtue of my growing years, and my promise to abstain from the decanters. 1862 G. Macdonald D. Elginbrod I. 40 Away she went with a jug, commonly called a decanter, in her hand. 1870 Dickens E. Drood ii, A dish of walnuts and a decanter of rich-coloured sherry are placed upon the table. |
Hence deˈcanter v. nonce-wd., to put wine in a decanter.
| 1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy II. 117 While the wine was decantering. 1885 Punch 16 May 230/2 They're catering and de-cantering. |