tun

A large cask; an oblong vessel bulging in the middle, like a pipe or puncheon, and girt with hoops; a wine cask. (See a diagram comparing cask sizes.)

A fermenting vat.

A traditional unit of liquid measure (from the volume of such a cask) equal to 252 wine gallons or 2 pipes.historical

• Again, by 28 Hen. VIII, cap. 14, it is re-enacted that the tun of wine should contain 252 gallons, a butt of Malmsey 126 gallons, a pipe 126 gallons, a tercian or puncheon 84 gallons, a hogshead 63 gallons, a tierce 41 gallons, a barrel 31.

Synonym of long ton: a unit of mass equal to 2240 pounds, 20 hundredweights of 112 pounds avoirdupois each.

Synonym of ton: any extremely or excessively large amount.figuratively

• He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit, / This tun of treasure; and, in lieu of this, / Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim / Hear no more of you.
• A Tun of Man in thy Large bulk is writ, / But sure thou'rt but a Kilderkin of wit.

Synonym of drunkard: a person who drinks excessively.archaicderogatoryhumorous

Any shell belonging to Tonna and allied genera.

The cryptobiotic state of a tardigrade, when its metabolism is temporarily suspended.

A small silver cup holding half a pint, sometimes having a whistle in the handle that could not be blown until the cup was empty.obsolete

• So abundant is the supply of tankards and "tuns" […]

a chimney.UKdialectal

To put into tuns, or casks.transitive

• Strong beer that is brewed in small quantities, and ale, whatever the quantity may be, should be tunned the second day after brewing; and small beer should be tunned as soon as it has fairly taken the yeast

A part of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar system which corresponds to 18 winal cycles or 360 days.

A respectful term of address to royalties and certain award recipientsMalaysia