Shak.
||Va"sum (?), n. [L., a vase. See Vase.] (Zoöl.) A genus including
||several species of large marine gastropods having massive pyriform
||shells, with conspicuous folds on the columella.
||
Vat (?), n. [A dialectic form for fat, OE. fat, AS. fæt; akin to D.
vat, OS. fat, G. fass, OHG. faz, Icel. & Sw. fat, Dan. fad, Lith.
p&?;das a pot, and probably to G. fassen to seize, to contain, OHG.
fazz&?;n, D. vatten. Cf. Fat a vat.]
<! p. 1597 !>
1. A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for holding in
an immature state, chemical preparations for dyeing, or for tanning, or
for tanning leather, or the like.
Let him produce his vase and tubs, in opposition to heaps of arms and
standards.
Addison.
2. A measure for liquids, and also a dry measure; especially, a liquid
measure in Belgium and Holland, corresponding to the hectoliter of the
metric system, which contains 22.01 imperial gallons, or 26.4 standard
gallons in the United States.
The old Dutch grain vat averaged 0.762 Winchester bushel. The old
London coal vat contained 9 bushels. The solid-measurement vat of
Amsterdam contains 40 cubic feet; the wine vat, 241.57 imperial
gallons, and the vat for olive oil, 225.45 imperial gallons.
3. (Metal.) (a) A wooden tub for washing ores and mineral substances
in. (b) A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining furnace,
where tin ore is laid to dry.