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| n. A large, narrow-necked glass or earthenware bottle, usually encased in wickerwork. [Alteration (influenced by the name John) of earlier demijean, demijan, alteration (influenced by DEMI-) of French dame-Jeanne, demijohn, literally “lady Jane” : dame, lady; see DAME + Jeanne, feminine personal name equivalent to English Jane (the rounded shape of a bottle being likened to the figure of a woman; compare Middle French jane, bottle, from Jeanne).]  (click for a larger image) demijohn |
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