ˈvesl n. 1 a
hollow receptacle esp.
for liquid, e.g. a
cask,
cup, pot,
bottle, or
dish. 2 a
ship or
boat, esp. a
large one. 3 a Anat. a
duct or
canal etc.
holding or conveying
blood or
other fluid, esp. = blood-vessel. b
Bot. a
woody duct carrying or containing sap etc. 4 Bibl. or joc. a
person regarded as
the recipient or
exponent of a
quality (a
weak vessel). [ME f. AF vessel(e), OF vaissel(le) f. LL vascellum dimin. of
vas vessel]