AUNCEL WEIGHT Meaning and
Definition
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Auncel weight, also known as troy weight or apothecaries' weight, refers to a traditional system of weights used primarily in measuring precious metals and pharmaceuticals. It is named after the old French word "auncele" meaning weight. Auncel weight is no longer in widespread use today but is still employed in specific industries and contexts.
In the auncel weight system, the pound is divided into 12 ounces, and each ounce is further divided into 20 pennyweights. A pennyweight is composed of 24 grains. Therefore, a pound consists of 240 pennyweights or 5,760 grains. The symbol used to represent this weight system is "lb".
Historically, auncel weight was used for measuring gold, silver, and other precious metals due to its accuracy and standardized units. It allowed for precise calculations when dealing with items such as jewelry, coins, and bullion. Additionally, it was utilized by apothecaries for measuring or compounding medicinal substances.
In the modern era, auncel weight has been largely replaced by the more widely used avoirdupois system in most countries. However, some areas in the United Kingdom, particularly in the gold and silver trade, still rely on auncel weight measurements.
It is worth noting that the metric system, based on grams and kilograms, is the predominant system for weighing today. Nevertheless, understanding the concepts and units of auncel weight can be valuable for historical and specialized purposes.
Common Misspellings for AUNCEL WEIGHT
- zuncel weight
- suncel weight
- wuncel weight
- quncel weight
- ayncel weight
- ahncel weight
- ajncel weight
- aincel weight
- a8ncel weight
- a7ncel weight
- aubcel weight
- aumcel weight
- aujcel weight
- auhcel weight
- aunxel weight
- aunvel weight
- aunfel weight
- aundel weight
- auncwl weight
- auncsl weight
Etymology of AUNCEL WEIGHT
The word "auncel weight" originates from the Old French term "ancel", which means a small balance or scale. The Old French word itself is derived from the Latin word "antrum", meaning a cave, cavity, or hole. This reference to a hole or cavity is related to the design of the balance scale, which typically featured a central beam with hollow pans suspended on either side. To weigh an object, the item would be placed in one pan while weights of known measurement were added to the other pan until balance was achieved. Therefore, "auncel weight" refers to the weights used in this type of balance scale system.
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