ITALIAN UNITS Meaning and
Definition
-
Italian units refer to the system of measurement traditionally used in Italy. It consists of various units for measuring length, weight, volume, and time.
In terms of length, the Italian unit of measurement was the "braccio" which translates to "arm" in English. It was approximately equivalent to the English yard and was used to measure small distances. For larger distances, the Italian mile known as the "miglio" was utilized. It was roughly equivalent to 1.8 kilometers.
In the realm of weight, the "libbra" served as the Italian unit. This term translates to "pound" and was used to measure masses. The "oncia" was used for smaller measurements and corresponds to the English ounce.
The Italian units of volume included the "boccale" or "litro," which was used to measure liquids. It was equivalent to the English quart. For dry volume, the "stajo" was commonly used and was approximately equal to 1.7 liters.
Regarding time, the "ora" denoted an hour, similar to the English hour.
It should be noted that with the adoption of the metric system in 1861, many of these traditional Italian units were replaced by their metric equivalents. However, remnants of the Italian system of measurement can still be found in occasional colloquial use or historical references.
Etymology of ITALIAN UNITS
The term "Italian units" does not have a specific etymology. It is simply a combination of the word "Italian", which refers to something related to Italy or the Italian culture, and "units", which refers to a determinate quantity or measurement. In this context, "Italian units" may refer to any specific units of measurement or standards that are associated with Italy, such as its systems of currency, weights, or lengths. The etymology, therefore, lies in the general usage and understanding of the words themselves.
