ounce Definition

ounce¹
noun

1. In the imperial system: a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (28.35g).
2. historical
A unit of weight equal to one twelfth of the (legally obsolete) Troy or Apothecaries' pound, one ounce being equal to 480 grains (approximately 31.1g).
3. Short form of fluid ounce.
4. A small amount or quantity.

Thesaurus: measure, atom, drop, iota, modicum, particle.

Etymology: 14c: from French unce, from Latin uncia twelfth part.

---

ounce²
noun

1. The snow leopard.

Etymology: 18c; 14c in obsolete sense ‘the Eurasian lynx' or any of various other cats: from French once, mistakenly from lonce as if l'once, from Greek lynx lynx.