OUNCE Meaning and
Definition
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An ounce is a standard unit of weight in the system of Imperial and US customary measures. It is denoted by the symbol "oz." The word "ounce" originates from the Latin word "uncia" meaning one-twelfth. Within the Imperial system, the ounce is divided into sixteen equal parts, commonly referred to as ounces, which are further divided into sixteen equal parts called drams. In contrast, within the US customary system, the ounce is divided into sixteen equal parts, known as avoirdupois ounces.
Typically used to measure the weight of objects, an ounce is approximately equivalent to 28.35 grams or 1/16th of a pound. For example, it is commonly employed in the context of measuring the weight of food, such as fruits, vegetables, or meat. In the field of medicine, the ounce may be used to measure the weight of medication, particularly in liquid form. Additionally, it is broadly used in commercial transactions, such as the sale of precious metals like gold or silver.
The term "ounce" can also be applied to liquids, where it refers to a unit of volume. In this case, an ounce is roughly equal to 29.57 milliliters. The fluid ounce is regularly used in the United States to measure the volume of beverages, particularly in the context of serving sizes, such as a "12-ounce can of soda." Overall, the ounce serves as a crucial unit of measure in various fields, facilitating accurate and consistent weight or volume calculations.
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A weight, abbreviation oz., sign 3, containing 480 grains, or 1/12 pound troy and apothecaries' weight, or 437 1/2 grains, 1/16 pound avoirdupois; the ounce of the U.S.P. contains eight drams, and is equivalent to 31.10349 grams.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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• A weight, 1-12th of a lb. troy; 1-16th of a lb. avoirdupois.
• A carnivorous animal resembling the leopard, but having a thicker fur, irregular faint spots, and a longer tail-a native of India and Persia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for OUNCE *
* 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 OUNCE
Etymology of OUNCE
The word "ounce" has an interesting etymology. It originates from the Latin word "uncia", which was used to denote a twelfth part. In ancient Rome, the "uncia" was a unit of weight and could also refer to a twelfth part of several other measures, such as the foot or pound.
Later on, the word "uncia" was borrowed into various Germanic languages, evolving into different forms. In Old English, it became "unȳce", and eventually transformed into "ounce" in Middle English. The meaning of "ounce" gradually transitioned from a twelfth part to specifically refer to a unit of weight. Today, "ounce" commonly refers to both a unit of weight, equivalent to 1/16th of a pound or 28.35 grams, as well as a measure of liquid volume.
Idioms with the word OUNCE
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an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, at prevention is better than cure
The idiom "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" means that it is easier and more effective to prevent a problem or take precautions beforehand rather than trying to fix or solve it after it has occurred. This implies that putting effort and taking preventive measures can save a significant amount of time, money, or trouble in the future. It is often used to emphasize the importance of being proactive and prepared rather than dealing with the consequences of neglect or inaction. Another common and synonymous phrase for this idiom is "prevention is better than cure."
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ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
The idiom "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" means that it is better to take action to prevent a problem or disaster before it occurs, rather than dealing with its consequences later. It emphasizes the importance of being proactive and taking preventative measures to avoid or minimize potential issues.
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ounce of common sense is worth a pound of theory
The idiom "an ounce of common sense is worth a pound of theory" implies that practical knowledge and sound reasoning are more valuable and effective than mere theoretical or intellectual understanding. It suggests that a small amount of practical wisdom and logical thinking can be far more beneficial and productive than a large amount of theoretical knowledge alone.
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ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit
The idiom "an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit" implies that it is wiser to use caution and make thoughtful decisions rather than relying solely on cleverness or quick thinking. It suggests that making sensible choices and exercising prudence can prevent potential problems and save more trouble than relying solely on one's intellect or smartness.
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an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
The idiom "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure" means that it is easier and more effective to prevent problems or take precautions beforehand, rather than dealing with the consequences or trying to solve them later. It emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to avoid potential issues instead of waiting for them to arise and having to deal with the more challenging task of fixing or dealing with them.
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ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, an
The idiom "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" means that taking precautionary measures and preventing a problem from occurring is easier and more effective than trying to fix the issue after it has already happened. It emphasizes the importance of taking small preventive actions to avoid larger and more difficult consequences later on.
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12-ounce curls
This idiom humorously refers to lifting and drinking a 12-ounce can or bottle of beer as a form of exercise. It is often used to make light of someone's drinking habits or to mock someone's lack of physical activity.
Similar spelling word for OUNCE
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