DEMIJOHN

demijohn, a glass bottle or jar with a large round body and narrow neck, encased in wicker-work and provided with handles. the word is also used of an earthenware jar, similarly covered with wicker. the capacity of a demijohn varies from two to twelve gallons, but the common size contains five gallons. according to the _new english dictionary_ the word is an adaptation of a french _dame jeanne_, or dame jane, an application of a personal name to an object which is not uncommon; cf. the use of "toby" for a particular form of jug and the many uses of the name "jack."