HUNDREDWEIGHT Meaning and
Definition
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Hundredweight, often abbreviated as cwt, is a unit of weight used primarily in the imperial system of measurements. It is equivalent to 100 pounds (45.36 kilograms) and is widely used in trade, commerce, and agriculture. The term "hundredweight" derives from its original use to measure the weight of a unit of goods or commodities that equated to 100 pounds.
The hundredweight is commonly utilized to measure bulky or heavy items, such as livestock, crops, and various materials. It finds significance in industries like agriculture, mining, and logistics where weight plays a crucial role in determining quantities and pricing. For instance, it can be used to express the weight of a shipment of grain, livestock, or other goods, facilitating efficient trading and transport operations.
The hundredweight unit is also divided into smaller increments, such as quarters and pounds, which add versatility when dealing with smaller quantities. For example, a quarter would be equivalent to 25 pounds, and a pound is simply one pound.
While this unit is predominantly used in countries that employ the imperial system, its usage has significantly decreased in recent years as many countries have transitioned to the metric system. Nevertheless, in certain regions and industries, such as agriculture, the hundredweight continues to hold relevance due to its historical and practical significance.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HUNDREDWEIGHT
- gundredweight
- bundredweight
- nundredweight
- jundredweight
- uundredweight
- yundredweight
- hyndredweight
- hhndredweight
- hjndredweight
- hindredweight
- h8ndredweight
- h7ndredweight
- hubdredweight
- humdredweight
- hujdredweight
- huhdredweight
- hunsredweight
- hunxredweight
- huncredweight
- hunderedweight
- hundreedweight
- hundredwieght
- hundreadweight
Etymology of HUNDREDWEIGHT
The word "hundredweight" is derived from the combination of "hundred" and "weight". "Hundred" originates from the Old English word "hundrēd", which means the number "one hundred". It is derived from the Germanic word "hundam", meaning "ten times ten" or "a great number". "Weight" comes from the Old English word "wiht", which signifies a "quantity of something" or a "load". Therefore, "hundredweight" essentially means a weight that is equal to one hundred.
Similar spelling word for HUNDREDWEIGHT
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