pail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
    bucket.
  2. noun the quantity contained in a pail
    pailful.

WordNet

Pail noun
Etymology
OE. paile, AS. pægel a wine vessel, a pail, akin to D. & G. pegel a watermark, a gauge rod, a measure of wine, Dan. pægel half a pint.
Definitions
  1. A vessel of wood or tin, etc., usually cylindrical and having a bail, -- used esp. for carrying liquids, as water or milk, etc.; a bucket. It may, or may not, have a cover. Shak.

Webster 1913