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Tankful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tankful

[ˈtæŋk.fəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

quantity of liquid

A tankful refers to the amount of liquid that a tank can hold when filled to its maximum capacity. This term is often used in contexts involving vehicles, such as when discussing gasoline or fuel. For example, a car's fuel tank may hold ten gallons, and thus one might state they have a tankful of gas. The measurement of a tankful can vary based on the size of the tank being referenced. It's a measurement that conveys the entirety of what is contained in the tank at a given time.

Synonyms

capacity, full tank, load.

Examples of usage

  • He filled up the car with a tankful of gas.
  • After a long trip, we made sure to have a tankful of water ready.
  • The generator can run for hours on a single tankful.
  • She checked the tankful of fuel before starting the journey.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Understanding the concept of 'tankful' is essential in fields like hydraulics, where the capacity of tanks is crucial for designing systems.
  • In aquarium management, knowing how much water a tank can hold (tankful) helps in maintaining the health of fish.
  • In agriculture, tanks used to store irrigation water are measured in tankfuls to determine available resources.

Literature

  • The term 'tankful' is sometimes playfully used in poetry to illustrate abundance or fullness in life.
  • Writers may use a 'tankful' metaphor to depict emotional states by comparing feelings to tanks filled with different experiences.
  • Children's literature occasionally uses 'tankful' in whimsical contexts, such as tanks that hold imagination or stories.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and video games, characters often refer to a tankful of fuel or liquid when preparing for an adventure.
  • The idea of being 'tankful' can also symbolize readiness or being well-prepared for challenges in shows and books.
  • Merchandising items like toy tanks often include phrases about how many 'tankfuls' they can deliver in imaginative play.

Environment

  • The concept of 'tankful' plays a role in environmental discussions about storing water and managing resources sustainably.
  • In discussions regarding climate change, knowing how much water a tank can hold (tankful) is essential for effective management of water supplies.
  • The idea of preserving a tankful of clean water is central to community efforts in addressing water scarcity and pollution.

Origin of 'tankful'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'tankful' combines 'tank', which comes from the Latin 'tanca' meaning a receptacle for liquids, and 'ful', indicating fullness.
  • The term has been in use since the late 19th century as the need for large liquid storage grew with industrialization.
  • In early definitions, 'tankful' referred not only to water tanks but also to tanks used for gas or fuel.

The word 'tankful' is a compound noun that combines 'tank' and 'full'. The term 'tank' comes from the Latin word 'tanca', meaning 'a reservoir or cistern', which evolved into Middle English as 'tanke'. It initially referred to a place for holding liquids. The use of 'full', from the Old English 'fulla', meaning 'filled, filled up', emerged in English to denote the state of being at capacity. Together, the combination suggests a specific measure of how much a tank can hold when it is filled. The concept of measuring liquids in tankfuls is notably aligned with the industrial and automotive revolutions, reflecting the increasing reliance on mechanical systems that require specific fuel quantities.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,842, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.