Găl'lon, n.

n. [O. Fr. galon, jalon, L. Lat. galo, galona. In Mod. Fr. galon is a grocer's box.] A measure of capacity for dry or liquid things, but usually for liquids, and containing four quarts.

The standard gallon of the United States contains 231 cubic inches, or 58372.1754 grains, or 8.3389 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water at its maximum density, and with the barometer at 30 inches. This is almost exactly equivalent to a cylinder of 7 inches in diameter and 6 inches in height, and is the same as the old English wine gallon. The beer gallon contains 282 inches. The English imperial gallon contains 10 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water at 62° of Fahrenheit, and barometer at 30 inches, equal to 277.274 cubic inches. The old wine gallon of 231 inches, and the ale gallon of 282 inches, are still in use.