jordan

Etymology
From, unattested outside of England and of uncertain etymology. Usually derived from a clipped form of, supposedly a bottle of curative water brought back from the River Jordan by Crusaders and pilgrims to the Holy Land, but this seems unsupported in its actual attestations. Its use for chamber pots may derive from the alchemical device having been used to hold urine.

Noun

 * 1)  A vessel resembling a retort bulb or Florence flask with a truncated neck and flared mouth, used by medieval doctors and alchemists.
 * 2) * 15th c., Sloane MS. 73, p. 133:
 * Make a good lute... and þerwiþ daub þi Iordan al aboute... and putte al þi mater in þe Iordan and hange it ouer þe fier by þe necke þ t þe glas be almoost an hond brede fro þe coolis.
 * 1)  A chamber pot.

Synonyms

 * , see also Thesaurus:chamber pot

Translations

 * Latin: jurdanus