bucket
UK[ˈbʌkɪt]US[ˈbʌkɪt]
n
An open container with a handle, used for carrying liquids or other materials.
n
A large amount of something, especially rain or tears.
v
To rain very heavily.
Etymology
The word 'bucket' entered English in the 13th century from the Anglo-Norman French 'buket', meaning a pail or vessel. This term likely derived from the Old English 'būc', which referred to a pitcher or belly, a word with Germanic roots. The core concept has consistently been that of a rounded container. Over time, its meaning specialized to denote the handled, open-topped vessel we know today, and its usage expanded metaphorically, as seen in phrases like 'bucket of tears' or the verb form describing heavy rain.
Analysis
The word 'bucket' is a simplex word of Anglo-Norman origin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
She filled the bucket with water from the well.
After the sad movie, she cried a bucket of tears.
It's been bucketing down all afternoon, so the streets are flooded.