stillion

A cooper places a wooden barrel on a stillion in his workshop.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stand or rack for casks: "stillion" refers to a sturdy wooden or metal framework used to support barrels or casks, typically in a cellar or brewery, keeping them off the ground for stability and ease of access.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cooper placed the heavy wine cask on the stillion to prevent it from rolling. (A rack for holding a barrel securely.)
  • In the old brewery, rows of stillions lined the walls, each supporting a different ale. (Frames used for storing multiple casks.)

Advanced Usage

• "to set a cask on the stillion": to place a barrel onto the rack for storage or dispensing.

  • The cellar master carefully set the new whiskey cask on the stillion. (Positioned the barrel on the stand.)

• "stillion in a traditional cellar": a historical term for a wooden frame specifically designed for wine or beer casks, often with a slight tilt to allow sediment to settle.

  • The stillion in the ancient vault was carved from oak and had been in use for centuries. (An antique rack for barrels.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stillion (alternative spelling): the same word, with no change in meaning.
  • The old spelling "stillion" appears in some 19th-century brewing manuals. (An alternate form of the same term.)

Synonyms

• Cask stand: a support structure for barrels.
• Barrel rack: a frame designed to hold casks or drums.
• Hogshead stand: a specific type of stillion for large casks (hogsheads).

Related Idioms

• "off the stillion": referring to a cask that has been removed from its rack, often for transport or tapping.

  • The ale was taken off the stillion and rolled to the taproom. (Removed from the supporting stand.)

• "on the stillion": describing a cask that is placed on the rack and ready for use.

  • The port has been on the stillion for a month, maturing nicely. (Resting on the barrel stand.)