Sackful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sackful

[ˈsækfəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

quantity, bag

A sackful refers to the amount that can fill a sack. It is often used to describe a large quantity of items, usually something granular or loose such as grain, flour, or potatoes. The term emphasizes the capacity of the sack and suggests that the contents are plentiful. Sackfuls are commonly used in contexts of storage or transport.

Synonyms

bagful, cargo, load.

Examples of usage

  • She bought a sackful of potatoes.
  • He gathered a sackful of leaves in the autumn.
  • They received a sackful of flour for their bakery.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • In various folktales, sackfuls of items often symbolize abundance, like in stories where heroes find magic or treasures.
  • In many cultures, sacks filled with grains were essential for harvest celebrations, highlighting their importance in agriculture.

Everyday Use

  • Commonly used during shopping, as in 'a sackful of groceries' to indicate the amount of food purchased.
  • In contests or activities, the term can denote the number of items collected, like a 'sackful of candy' during Halloween.

Science

  • In physics, the weight of a 'sackful' can vary greatly based on the contents, illustrating the principle of mass and gravity.
  • The materials used to make sacks can affect their environmental impact; reusable bags are encouraged to reduce waste.

Origin of 'sackful'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Old English 'sac' meaning a bag or pouch, emphasizing its connection to carrying things.
  • The suffix '-ful' means 'full of' or 'a quantity of', which helps describe how much is in the sack.

The term 'sackful' is derived from the word 'sack', which originates from the Old French 'sac', meaning a bag or pouch. The word 'sac' itself can be traced back to Latin 'sacculus' meaning a small bag or pouch, which is a diminutive of 'saccus', from Greek 'sakkos' meaning a cloth bag or sack. The addition of the 'ful' suffix comes from Old English, denoting the full amount contained in a bag. Together, these components bring the term 'sackful' into usage as a descriptor for the volume of items that one can carry or store inside a sack. The evolution of the word highlights the practical aspects of everyday life where the storage and transport of goods have been essential throughout history.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,590, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.