How Do You Spell PENNYWEIGHT?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛnɪwˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

Pennyweight is a unit of weight in the troy system. Its spelling may seem confusing at first glance, but with the help of phonetic transcription, the pronunciation becomes clearer. Using the IPA symbols, the word is pronounced /ˈpɛniweɪt/, with stress on the first syllable. The "penny" part is pronounced with the short e sound (/ˈpɛni/), while "weight" is pronounced with a long a sound (/weɪt/). So, when in doubt, remember that pennyweight is spelled with two n's and pronounced with stress on the first syllable.

PENNYWEIGHT Meaning and Definition

1. Pennyweight is a unit of weight commonly used in the measurement of precious metals, especially gold and silver. The term is primarily used in the imperial system of measurement. One pennyweight (abbreviated as dwt) is equivalent to 1/20th of a troy ounce, which is a unit of weight used exclusively for precious metals.

   In terms of actual weight, one pennyweight is approximately 1.555 grams or 0.05486 ounces. The term "pennyweight" originated from the practice of weighing coins during ancient times, where the value of a coin was determined by its weight. This measurement became particularly significant in the valuation and trading of gold and silver, as the purity and weight of these metals greatly influence their worth.

   Today, pennyweight is commonly used by jewelers, goldsmiths, and bullion dealers. It allows for precise measurement and valuation of precious metals, especially when dealing with small quantities. It is an important unit of weight for determining the purity and value of gold and silver jewelry, as well as for calculating the price of gold and silver bullion.

   Overall, pennyweight is a crucial measurement unit in the realm of precious metals, providing a standardized way to quantify and assess the weight and worth of gold and silver items.

2. A troy weight of 1/20 ounce, or 24 grains.

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

3. A weight of 24 grains troy.

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

Common Misspellings for PENNYWEIGHT

• oennyweight
• lennyweight
• -ennyweight
• 0ennyweight
• pwnnyweight
• psnnyweight
• pdnnyweight
• prnnyweight
• p4nnyweight
• p3nnyweight
• pebnyweight
• pemnyweight
• pejnyweight
• pehnyweight
• penbyweight
• penmyweight
• penjyweight
• pnnyweight
• penyweight
• pennweight
• penneywhight
• pennywitght

Etymology of PENNYWEIGHT

The word "pennyweight" has an interesting etymology. It originated in Middle English from the combination of two words: "penny" and "weight".

"Penny" is derived from the Old English word "pening", which referred to a unit of currency. It can be traced back even further to the Proto-Germanic word "panningaz". It was used to represent a small sum of money, often in silver coins.

"Weight" comes from the Old English word "weoht", which was used to indicate the heaviness of an object. This word is related to the Old Norse word "vætt", which has the same meaning.

When the two words were combined in Middle English, "pennyweight" referred to a unit of measurement used to weigh small quantities of precious metals, particularly gold, silver, or gems.

Similar spelling word for PENNYWEIGHT

• pennywhistle.

Plural form of PENNYWEIGHT is PENNYWEIGHTS