Apothecaries’ weight is a measurement system used to weigh drugs and medicines in the past. It is an old system of measurement that was used by apothecaries, who were pharmacists in the past. In this article, we will discuss the definition and meaning of apothecaries’ weight, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Apothecaries’ weight is a system of weights used by pharmacists to weigh drugs and medicines. It is also known as the troy weight system. The system is based on the grain, which is the smallest unit of weight. There are 20 grains in a scruple, three scruples in a dram, eight drams in an ounce, and 12 ounces in a pound.
Origin
The apothecaries’ weight system has its origins in ancient Greece, where it was used to weigh precious metals. It was later adopted by the Romans and then by the Byzantines. The system was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century and was used until the 20th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, apothecaries’ weight is “a system of weights formerly used by apothecaries and based on the grain as the unit of weight.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a system of weights used by apothecaries, based on the grain as the unit of weight.”
Associations
Apothecaries’ weight is associated with the practice of pharmacy and the history of medicine. It is also associated with the history of trade and commerce, as it was used to weigh precious metals and other goods.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of apothecaries’ weight include troy weight, pharmacists’ weight, and apothecaries’ system.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of apothecaries’ weight, but it can be contrasted with the metric system, which is the modern system of measurement used in most countries.
The same root words
The root words of apothecaries’ weight are “apothecary,” which means a person who prepares and sells medicines, and “weight,” which refers to a measure of the heaviness of an object.
Example Sentences
- The pharmacist used apothecaries’ weight to measure the medicine.
- The apothecaries’ weight system was used for centuries before the introduction of the metric system.
- The apothecaries’ weight of the medicine was crucial to ensure the correct dosage.