kor
Very low (historical/specialist)Historical, technical, or informal slang.
Definition
Meaning
An ancient Hebrew and Phoenician unit of dry measure, approximately equal to 10 ephahs or a homer.
In historical and biblical contexts, a large volumetric measure for grain, flour, or other dry commodities. In modern colloquial slang (chiefly US), an abbreviation for 'coroner' used in crime or medical drama contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a historical term, it's almost exclusively found in translations of biblical or ancient texts. The modern slang 'kor' (for coroner) is niche, informal, and likely to be recognized only within specific subcultures or fans of certain media genres.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The historical/biblical term is neutral. The slang abbreviation 'kor' for 'coroner' is primarily American, stemming from TV shows and procedural dramas. It is very rarely, if ever, used in British English.
Connotations
Historical: academic, antiquarian. Slang: informal, gritty, associated with crime scenes.
Frequency
The term is vanishingly rare in contemporary use for either sense. The slang usage is a niche Americanism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Measure] of [Commodity] (e.g., a kor of wheat)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, or theological papers discussing ancient economies and measures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The slang 'kor' might appear in very informal American chat about TV shows.
Technical
Found in specialized texts on ancient metrology or biblical studies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is not typically taught at A2 level.
- I read about an ancient measure called a kor in a history book.
- The prophet mentioned a payment of one kor of finest flour in the ancient text.
- Archaeological evidence suggests the kor was not a standardized measure across all Phoenician city-states, leading to trade disputes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CORE of grain; a KOR was a CORE unit for measuring it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR QUANTITY (A kor is a vessel defining a specific amount).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian conjunction 'kor' (which doesn't exist). It is not related to the Russian word for 'chorus' (хор).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a modern unit of measurement.
- Confusing it with 'core'.
- Assuming it is a common English word.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'kor'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and specialized term.
It would be highly unusual and likely misunderstood unless you are speaking with a specialist in ancient history.
In biblical contexts, they are generally considered equivalent terms for the same unit of dry measure.
No, it is strictly informal and niche slang.