Definition:Ounce
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Definition
The ounce is a unit of mass whose precise value depends upon which scale is used.
Ounce Avoirdupois
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds 1\) | ounce avoirdupois | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 16\) | drams | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 437 \cdotp 5\) | grains | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 28 \cdotp 34952 \, 3125\) | grams | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 0 \cdotp 02834 \, 95231 \, 25\) | kilograms |
The gram / kilogram equivalent is defined to be exact.
Apothecaries' Ounce
The apothecaries' ounce is an apothecaries' unit of mass.
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds 1\) | apothecaries' ounce | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 8\) | drachms | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 24\) | scruples | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 480\) | grains | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 1\) | troy ounce | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 31 \cdotp 1\) | grams |
Troy Ounce
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds 1\) | troy ounce | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 20\) | pennyweight | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 480\) | grains | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 1\) | apothecaries' ounce | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(\approx\) | \(\ds 31 \cdotp 1\) | grams |
Uncia (Roman Ounce)
Its value in modern units is estimated to be approximately $423$ grains or $27.4$ grams.
Symbol
- $\mathrm {oz.}$
The symbol for the ounce is $\mathrm {oz.}$
The $\LaTeX$ code for \(\mathrm {oz.}\) is \mathrm {oz.} .
Linguistic Note
The word ounce derives from the Latin uncia, meaning $\dfrac 1 {12}$ part (of an as).
Despite the gradual migration to the metric system, the word ounce still lives on as a rhetorical flourish for something small, for example:
- If you only had an ounce of sense you would understand that ...
Sources
- 1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {I}$: Motion, Sound and Heat: Chapter $3$: The Laws of Motion: Mass
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ounce
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): ounce