apothecaries' weight

noun

a system of weights used chiefly in compounding and dispensing drugs: 20 grains = 1 scruple (℈); 3 scruples = 1 dram (dr); 8 drams = 1 ounce); 12 ounces = 1 pound. The grain, ounce, and pound are the same as in troy weight, the grain alone being the same as in avoirdupois weight.

Origin of apothecaries' weight

First recorded in 1755–65

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for apothecaries' weight

apothecaries' weight

noun

a system of weights, formerly used in pharmacy, based on the Troy ounce, which contains 480 grains. 1 grain is equal to 0.065 gram

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

apothecaries' weight in Medicine

apothecaries' weight

n.

A system of weights used in compounding prescriptions and in which an ounce equals 480 grains and a pound equals 12 ounces.

apothecaries' weight in Science

apothecaries' weight

[ə-pŏth′ĭ-kĕr′ēz]

A system of weights used in pharmacy and based on an ounce equal to 480 grains and a pound equal to 12 ounces. It has been largely replaced by measures of the metric system.