cruse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareArchaic / Literary / Biblical
Quick answer
What does “cruse” mean?
A small pot, jar, or bottle for holding liquids, especially oil or water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small pot, jar, or bottle for holding liquids, especially oil or water.
A historical or biblical vessel for storing oil, wine, or water; in modern usage, can poetically refer to any small container for liquid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the word is equally archaic and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes biblical, historical, or poetic imagery.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to the historical influence of the King James Bible, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “cruse” in a Sentence
[determiner] + cruse + of + [liquid (oil, water)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, theological, or literary studies.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern technical contexts; may appear in archaeology or historical descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cruse”
- Spelling it as 'cruise'.
- Using it to refer to modern containers like plastic bottles.
- Pronouncing it with an /s/ sound at the end (it is /z/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are homophones (sound the same) but have completely different meanings. 'Cruse' is an archaic word for a small pot or jar, while 'cruise' means to sail or travel leisurely.
Almost exclusively in reading historical texts, literature, or most famously, the Bible (1 Kings 17). It is not used in contemporary conversation.
No, 'cruse' is only a noun. The verb form 'cruise' is a different word.
The phrase 'cruse of oil' from the King James Bible is by far the most common and recognisable collocation.
A small pot, jar, or bottle for holding liquids, especially oil or water.
Cruse is usually archaic / literary / biblical in register.
Cruse: in British English it is pronounced /kruːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kruːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A widow's cruse (an apparently small supply that is miraculously replenished).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CRUde oil uSEd a small CRUSty jar' -> a cruse was a small jar for oil.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF SUSTENANCE (as in the biblical story where the cruse of oil never runs out).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cruse'?