Jarre

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A cylindrical container often used for storing food or liquids with a tight-fitting lid
2. A glass or ceramic vessel commonly employed for preserving fruits or vegetables, typically equipped with a sealing mechanism
3. A large, typically rounded container used for both practical storage purposes and decorative displays in homes or kitchens

Etymology: Arabic "jarrah" named a large earthenware vessel for storing water, oil, or grain. The term passed into Provençal and then Old French as "jarre," and from there into English as "jar." The core idea was a big clay container, and the material mattered less than the shape and purpose. The sealed glass preserving vessel is a much later refinement of that idea. Clay gave way to glass and stoneware, and a rubber ring, clamp, or screw lid turned an ordinary storage pot into a means of keeping fruit and vegetables for months. The name carried over unchanged while the object changed almost beyond recognition.

Synonyms: jar, pot, container, vessel