See also: bota, frequently translated as butt.
In Britain, at least as early as the 15ᵗʰ century – 20ᵗʰ century, a unit of liquid capacity,used for wine, about 476.96 liters. By the Act 5 Anne c. 27, §17 (1706) “any vessel containing 231 cubic inches and no more shall be deemed and taken to be a lawful wine gallon.....and 126 of such gallons shall be deemed Butt or Pipe of wine.”
When imperial measure was introduced in 1825, the gallon and thus the butt were redefined. The butt became 105 imperial gallons, about 477.33 liters.
However, in the 20ᵗʰ century, a butt of whisky was 108 imperial gallons, about 491 liters.
1
The statute 1 Richard III, chapter 13 (1483-1484) defines the butt as 126 gallons.
2
BUT [sic] or PIPE; this is Liquid Measure, whereof two Hogsheads make one Pipe or Butt, as two Pipes or Butts make one Tun; but there is also a Butt of currants.
Worlidge, 1704.
In Australia and New Zealand, a quantity of greasy wool with a mass of 89.376 kilograms.
In England, the butt of salmon contains 84 gallons. See salmon barrel.
2 Henry VI chapter 14 (1423)
In London, England, a butt of beer contained 3 hogsheads.
Second Report (1820)
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Last revised: 18 June 2009.