Definitions for amphora
ˈæm fər ə; -fəˌriam·pho·ra

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. amphoranoun

   an ancient jar with two handles and a narrow neck; used to hold oil or wine

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. amphoranoun

   A two handled jar with a narrow neck that was used in ancient times to store or carry wine or oils.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Amphora

   An amphora (; Ancient Greek: ἀμφορεύς, romanized: amphoreús; English pl. amphorae or amphoras) is a type of container with a pointed bottom and characteristic shape and size which fit tightly (and therefore safely) against each other in storage rooms and packages, tied together with rope and delivered by land or sea. The size and shape have been determined from at least as early as the Neolithic Period. Amphorae were used in vast numbers for the transport and storage of various products, both liquid and dry, but mostly for wine. They are most often ceramic, but examples in metals and other materials have been found. Versions of the amphorae were one of many shapes used in Ancient Greek vase painting. The amphora complements a vase, the pithos, which makes available capacities between one-half and two and one-half tons. In contrast, the amphora holds under a half-ton, typically less than 50 kilograms (110 lb). The bodies of the two types have similar shapes. Where the pithos may have multiple small loops or lugs for fastening a rope harness, the amphora has two expansive handles joining the shoulder of the body and a long neck. The necks of pithoi are wide for scooping or bucket access. The necks of amphorae are narrow for pouring by a person holding it by the bottom and a handle. Some variants exist. The handles might not be present. The size may require two or three handlers to lift. For the most part, however, an amphora was tableware, or sat close to the table, was intended to be seen, and was finely decorated as such by master painters. Stoppers of perishable materials, which have rarely survived, were used to seal the contents. Two principal types of amphorae existed: the neck amphora, in which the neck and body meet at a sharp angle; and the one-piece amphora, in which the neck and body form a continuous curve upwards. Neck amphorae were commonly used in the early history of ancient Greece, but were gradually replaced by the one-piece type from around the 7th century BC onward. Most were produced with a pointed base to allow upright storage by embedding in soft ground, such as sand. The base facilitated transport by ship, where the amphorae were packed upright or on their sides in as many as five staggered layers. If upright, the bases probably were held by some sort of rack, and ropes passed through their handles to prevent shifting or toppling during rough seas. Heather and reeds might be used as packing around the vases. Racks could be used in kitchens and shops. The base also concentrated deposits from liquids with suspended solid particles, such as olive oil and wines. Amphorae are of great use to maritime archaeologists, as they often indicate the age of a shipwreck and the geographic origin of the cargo. They are occasionally so well preserved that the original content is still present, providing information on foodstuffs and mercantile systems. Amphorae were too cheap and plentiful to return to their origin-point and so, when empty, they were broken up at their destination. At a breakage site in Rome, Testaccio, close to the Tiber, the fragments, later wetted with calcium hydroxide (calce viva), remained to create a hill now named Monte Testaccio, 45 m (148 ft) high and more than 1 kilometre in circumference.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. amphora

   An amphora is a type of ancient ceramic vessel, often used by Greeks and Romans for the storage and transportation of goods such as wine, oil, grains, and olives. It is typically characterized by its two vertical handles, long neck, and pointed bottom. The shape and size of amphorae would often vary based on its specific purpose and the region where it was produced.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Amphoranoun

   among the ancients, a two-handled vessel, tapering at the bottom, used for holding wine, oil, etc

2. Etymology: [L., fr. Gr. 'amforey`s, 'amforey`s, a jar with two handles; 'amfi` + forey`s bearer, fe`rein to bear. Cf. Ampul.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Amphora

   An amphora is a type of container of a characteristic shape and size, descending from at least as early as the Neolithic Period. Amphorae were used in vast numbers for the transport and storage of various products, both liquid and dry, but mostly for wine. It is most often ceramic, but examples in metals and other materials have been found. The amphora complements the large storage container, the pithos, which makes available capacities between one-half and two and one-half tons. In contrast, the amphora holds under a half-ton, typically less than 100 pounds. The bodies of the two types have similar shapes. Where the pithos may have multiple small loops or lugs for fastening a rope harness, the amphora has two expansive handles joining the shoulder of the body and a long neck. The necks of pithoi are wide for scooping or bucket access. The necks of amphorae are narrow for pouring by a person holding it by the bottom and a handle. Some variants exist. The handles might not be present. The size may require two or three handlers to lift. For the most part, however, an amphora was tableware, or sat close to the table, was intended to be seen, and was finely decorated as such by master painters.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. amphora

   Amphora (noun) an olden jar used to hold oil or wine.

   Amphora an ancient Greek container or vase with a large oval body and narrow cylindrical neck.

   
   

   Submitted by pinkss5 on October 17, 2015  

Matched Categories

1. • Jar

Anagrams for amphora »

1. amorpha

How to pronounce amphora?

1. Alex

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How to say amphora in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of amphora in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of amphora in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=amphora
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Amphora
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphora
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphora
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=amphora