vályú

The term "vályú" originates from Hungarian and most commonly refers to a trough or a long, open container. Historically, vályú were primarily made of wood, carved from a single piece of timber or constructed from several planks. They served various practical purposes in agricultural and domestic settings.

One of the most frequent uses of a vályú was for feeding livestock, particularly pigs and cattle. Animals would gather around the trough to eat their feed, which could consist of grain, hay, or other fodder. In homes, vályú could be used for washing clothes or as a basin for bathing, especially in households without running water. They were also used to transport water or other liquids.

The shape of a vályú is typically elongated with a rounded or rectangular cross-section, designed to hold a significant volume. The size varied depending on its intended use, ranging from smaller hand-held versions to large, stationary troughs.

While wooden vályú were traditional, later versions were also made from other materials such as metal or concrete. The term "vályú" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe something that is long and hollow, or to denote a large, indiscriminate collection of items. Today, while less common in everyday use, vályú can still be found in rural areas or as decorative or historical pieces.