How Do You Spell DRAM?

Pronunciation: [dɹˈam] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "dram" is unique in that it contains a silent letter, the "r". The word is pronounced as /dræm/ in the IPA phonetic transcription. This spelling anomaly can be attributed to the word's historical roots in Middle English, where the "r" was originally pronounced. Over time, the "r" became silent, but the spelling remained unchanged. Today, "dram" is primarily used to refer to a unit of measurement for alcohol, commonly found in whiskey and other spirits.

Meaning and Definition
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Etymology
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DRAM Meaning and Definition

  1. A dram is a unit of measure used in the United States and the United Kingdom to quantify both liquid and dry substances. In the United States, it is primarily used to measure medications or ingredients in the field of pharmacy, while in the United Kingdom, it is largely employed to gauge alcoholic beverages.

    In the US, a dram is equivalent to approximately 3.7 milliliters or about 1/8 of a fluid ounce. It is frequently employed in pharmaceutical settings to determine the dosage of liquid medications. For example, a doctor may prescribe two drams of cough syrup to be taken three times a day.

    Conversely, in the UK, a dram is equal to roughly 3.55 milliliters or 1/8 of a fluid ounce. It is commonly employed to measure spirits such as whisky or other alcoholic beverages, providing an indication of the volume per serving. Bartenders often use drams to accurately pour the desired amount of alcohol into cocktails or mixed drinks.

    Overall, a dram is a versatile unit of measure utilized in different contexts, whether in the medical field to indicate the dosage of medicines or in the culinary sector to determine the quantity of alcoholic beverages. Its small size makes it practical for precise measurements in applications where accuracy is essential.

  2. Drachm, a unit of weight; 1/8 ounce, 60 grains, apothecaries' weight; 1/16 ounce, 27.34 grains, avoirdupois weight.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. One eighth part of an ounce apothecaries weight; one sixteenth of an ounce avoirdupois; a small quantity; a small glass of spirits to be drunk at once.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DRAM *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DRAM

Etymology of DRAM

The word "dram" has a fascinating etymology. It originally comes from the Greek word "drachmē", which refers to a weight measure. In ancient Greece, a "drachmē" was a unit of weight equal to around 4.37 grams. This Greek term was later adopted by the Romans, who used it to denote both weight and currency.

Over time, the word "drachmē" evolved into "dramma" in Latin, maintaining its meaning as a weight measure. In medieval Europe, Arab traders introduced the concept of the drachma as a unit of currency, and the term "dramma" became associated with money as well.

Eventually, the term made its way into various European languages, including English. In the context of money, it transformed into "dram" and was used to describe a small portion or unit of currency.

Similar spelling words for DRAM

Plural form of DRAM is DRAMS

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