Definition

1. Proper noun:

   • (Old Testament) King of Chaldea: A historical and biblical figure, the king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire who captured and destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Israelites to Babylonia (circa 630?-562 BC).

2. Noun:

   • A very large wine bottle: A bottle size used for champagne and other wines, holding the equivalent of 20 standard 750ml bottles (approximately 15 liters). It is often used for display at events or in collections.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:

  • The prophet Daniel served in the court of Nebuchadnezzar.
  • Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Judah is a pivotal event in biblical history.

• Noun (bottle size):

  • The restaurant ordered a Nebuchadnezzar of champagne for the grand opening celebration.
  • His collection of large-format bottles includes a Nebuchadnezzar of Bordeaux.

Advanced Usage

• The term Nebuchadnezzar for a bottle size is part of a series named after biblical kings, with sizes increasing from a "Jeroboam" to a "Nebuchadnezzar" and even larger.
  • The Methuselah, Salmanazar, Balthazar, and Nebuchadnezzar are all impressive large-format bottles for champagne.

Variants and Related Words

• Nebuchadrezzar: An alternate historical spelling for the king's name, found in some biblical books (e.g., the Book of Jeremiah).
  • Scholars note that Nebuchadrezzar is a more accurate transliteration of the Akkadian name.

Synonyms

• For the king: The Chaldean king, King of Babylon.
• For the bottle size: 20-bottle bottle, 15-liter bottle.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no common idioms using "Nebuchadnezzar" in modern English, the king is often referenced in religious and historical contexts to symbolize power, conquest, or, at times, hubris.
  • His ambition was compared to that of Nebuchadnezzar.

Noun

1. a very large wine bottle holding the equivalent of 20 normal bottles of wine; used especially for display
2. (Old Testament) king of Chaldea who captured and destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Israelites to Babylonia (630?-562 BC)