Main Entry: steel·yard

Pronunciation: \ˈstēl-ˌyärd, ˈstil-yərd\

Function: noun

Etymology: probably from ³steel + ⁴yard (rod)

Date: 1639

: a balance in which an object to be weighed is suspended from the shorter arm of a lever and the weight determined by moving a counterpoise along a graduated scale on the longer arm until equilibrium is attained

[steelyard illustration]