basketful

Basketful is a noun that refers to the amount of something that fills a basket. It is a non-technical, informal measure and can describe a literal collection of items or be used metaphorically to indicate a sizable group or quantity. The exact number implied by a basketful depends on the size of the basket and the characteristics of its contents.

Etymology: The word combines basket with the suffix -ful, meaning "full of." The suffix comes from Old English, while basket itself traces to medieval European forms such as Old French baschet, reflecting the historical use of baskets for carrying goods.

Usage: Basketful is commonly used in everyday language to convey abundance without prescribing a fixed quantity. It appears in contexts such as farming, markets, households, and storytelling. Because baskets vary greatly in size, a basketful can range from a small handful of items to a substantial haul, and it can be used to describe both concrete collections and abstract assortments.

Examples: "She brought a basketful of fruit to the picnic." "The basketful of vegetables fed the family for a week." The term can also be used figuratively, as in "a basketful of ideas," to denote a plentiful or diverse set.

Measurement caveat: Unlike standardized units (such as bushels or liters), a basketful is not a precise measurement. It serves as a practical, contextual gauge of quantity based on the vessel’s capacity and the nature of its contents.

See also: handful, bushel, peck, cupful, jarful.