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arroba

noun
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ar·​ro·​ba | \ ə-ˈrō-bə How to pronounce arroba (audio) \

Definition of arroba

1 : an old Spanish unit of weight equal to about 25 pounds
2 : an old Portuguese unit of weight equal to about 32 pounds

First Known Use of arroba

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for arroba

borrowed from Spanish, borrowed from Arabic al rubʽ "the quarter" (the unit being a quarter of a Spanish quintal), from al "the" + rubʽ "quarter," derivative of a root r-b-ʽ, whence also arbaʽa "four"

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“Arroba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arroba. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.

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