ounce

¹ounce

noun \ˈau̇n(t)s\

Definition of OUNCE

1

a : a unit of weight equal to ¹⁄₁₂ troy pound — see weight table

b : a unit of weight equal to ¹⁄₁₆ avoirdupois pound

c : a small amount <an ounce of sense>

2

: fluid ounce

Origin of OUNCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French unce, from Latin uncia 12th part, ounce, from unus one — more at one

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

²ounce

noun

Definition of OUNCE

: snow leopard

Origin of OUNCE

Middle English unce lynx, from Middle French, alteration (by misdivision, as if l'once the ounce) of lonce, probably from Old Italian lonza, from Middle Greek lynk-, lynx, from Greek

First Known Use: 1774

Rhymes with OUNCE

bounce, flounce, jounce, pounce

ounce

noun \ˈau̇n(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of OUNCE

1

a : a unit of troy weight equal to ¹⁄₁₂ troy pound or 31.103 grams b : a unit of avoirdupois weight equal to ¹⁄₁₆ avoirdupois pound or 28.350 grams

2

: fluid ounce

ounce

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Unit of weight in the avoirdupois system, the traditional European system of weight, which was incorporated into the British Imperial system and the U.S. system of weights and measures (see measurement). The ounce is equal to 1/16 lb (437.5 grains). In the troy and apothecaries' systems (two other traditional systems of weight), it is equal to 1/12 troy or apothecaries' lb (480 grains). The avoirdupois ounce is equal to 28.35 g, the troy ounce to 31.1 g. As a unit of volume, the fluid ounce is equal to 1/16 of a pint (29.57 ml) in the U.S. system, and to 1/20 of a pint (28.41 ml) in the British Imperial system. See also gram, International System of Units, metric system, pound.