apothecaries' weight

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apothecaries' weight

n.
A system of weights used in pharmacy and based on an ounce equal to 480 grains and a pound equal to 12 ounces. It has been largely replaced by measures of the metric system.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

apothecaries' weight

n
(Pharmacology) a system of weights, formerly used in pharmacy, based on the Troy ounce, which contains 480 grains. 1 grain is equal to 0.065 gram
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

apoth′ecaries' weight`


n.
a system of weights used chiefly in compounding and dispensing drugs.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.apothecaries' weight - any weight unit used in pharmacyapothecaries' weight - any weight unit used in pharmacy; an ounce is equal to 480 grains and a pound is equal to 12 ounces
weight unit, weight - a unit used to measure weight; "he placed two weights in the scale pan"
grain - 1/60 dram; equals an avoirdupois grain or 64.799 milligrams
scruple - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
drachm, drachma, dram - a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains
apothecaries' ounce, ounce, troy ounce - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 480 grains or one twelfth of a pound
apothecaries' pound, troy pound - an apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces or 373.242 grams
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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Additionally, the apothecaries' weight system played an important role in the Middle English period, thus, it shall be discussed in what follows as well.
Hence, in the apothecaries' weight = 60 grains, or 1/8 of an ounce, in the avoirdupois weight = 27 1/3 grains or 1/16, of an ounce' (OED).
It was used in English from the 14th century as a unit of weight equal to 20 grains, V3 drachm, or V24 ounce of the apothecaries' weight.
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