ˈskinful
Also 9 -full.
[f. skin n. + -ful.]
1. The quantity contained within the skin.
| 1650 Howell Lett. III. 4, I could willingly..return this small skinfull of Bones to my common Mother. |
2. A quantity that fills a skin vessel.
| 1802 Southey King Ramiro xii, So he gave him..a skinful of wine to quench his thirst. 1863 Kinglake Crimea II. 195 That simple skinful of water which..is the life of men passing a desert. 1885 Century Mag. XXIX. 652/1 Well do I remember how at each well the first skinful [of water] was tasted all around. |
3. As much as the skin can hold: a. As much as any one can drink.
| 1788 Columbian Mag. Oct. 557/2 Determined, as they said, once more to get a skin-full of liquor. 1824 W. Irving T. Trav. II. 234 When he has no liquor at all, or when he has a skinfull. 1839 Thackeray Fatal Boots (1869) 348 On this night I had my little skinful,—for there was no stinting. 1886 W. Graham Social Problem 203 Why should I work, when I..can get my skinful? |
b. transf. A full allowance; as much as one wants or cares for.
| a 1779 D. Graham Leper the Taylor i. Writ. 1883 II. 116 Poor Sandy went home with a skinful of terror. 1869 W. S. Gilbert Bab Ball., Sir Macklin v, He wept to think each thoughtless youth Contained of wickedness a skinful. 1897 Pall Mall Mag. Dec. 501 His men had had a skinful of fighting and short commons just before. |