Bush'el, n.

n. [O. Eng. boussel, Norm. Fr. bussel, O. Fr. boissel, boisel, bussel, boistel, boisteau, N. Fr. boisseau, Pr. bossel, L. Lat. boissel, boissellus, boistellus, bussellus, bustellus, from O. Fr. boiste, Pr. bostia, boissa, box, L. Lat. bustia, bustea, buxida, bossida, buxis, equiv. to Lat. puxis, pyxis, Gr. πυξίς, box. Cf. Box.]

1Sense 1. A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts.

The Winchester bushel, used in England from the time of Henry VII. to the year 1826, contains 2150.42 cubic inches. In 1826 the imperial bushel was introduced into England, containing 2218.192 cubic inches, or 80 pounds of distilled water weighed in air at the temperature of 62° Fahr., and barometer at 30 inches. In the United States, the Winchester bushel has been generally adopted, which holds 77.627413 pounds of distilled water at 39°.8 Fahr., and 30 inches barometric pressure, or 2150.42 cubic inches. In New York the bushel is declared to contain 80 pounds of distilled water at its maximum density, at the mean pressure of the atmosphere, at the level of the sea. Burrill.

2Sense 2. A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure.

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? Mark iv. 21.

3Sense 3. A large quantity.

The worthies of antiquity bought the rarest pictures with bushels of gold, without counting the weight or the number of the pieces. Dryden.

4Sense 4. The circle of iron in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In America it is called a box. See BUSH.