ewer
UK[ˈjuːə]US[ˈjuːər]
n
a large jug with a wide mouth, used especially in the past for holding water for washing
Etymology
The journey of 'ewer' begins with the Latin word 'aqua', meaning 'water'. In Vulgar Latin, this evolved into 'aquāria', a term for a vessel associated with water. This was borrowed into Old French as 'aiguiere' or 'ewiere', specifically denoting a water pitcher. Entering Middle English in the 14th century as 'ewer', it retained its core function as a container for water, particularly for the ceremonial washing of hands before meals or for general domestic use, a meaning that persists in its modern definition as a large, often ornamental jug.
Analysis
The word 'ewer' is a simplex loanword from Anglo-Norman French. It is derived from the Old French 'ewiere' or 'aiguiere', meaning 'water jug', which itself comes from the Vulgar Latin 'aquāria', a noun related to 'aqua' (water).
Examples
A beautiful porcelain ewer and basin stood on the washstand.
The servant poured water from the silver ewer for the guests to wash their hands.
The museum's collection includes a medieval ewer decorated with intricate engravings.