apothecaries' weight

American  

noun

1. 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.

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apothecaries' weight British  

noun

1. 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

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apothecaries' weight Scientific  

/ ə-pŏth′ĭ-kĕr′ēz /

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of apothecaries' weight

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

He often interrupted the course of a lecture with a290 denunciation of the British "no-system of weights and measures"—"insane," "brain-wasting," "dangerous," were among the mildest epithets he applied to it, and he would deeply sympathise with the student whose recollection of avoirdupois weight, troy weight, apothecaries' weight, etc., was somewhat hazy.

From Project Gutenberg

Apothecaries' weight, the system of weights by which medical prescriptions were formerly compounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Scruple, skrōō′pl, n. a small weight—in apothecaries' weight, 20 troy grains, ⅓ drachm, 1⁄24 ounce, and 1⁄288 of a troy pound: a very small quantity: reluctance to decide or act, as from motives of conscience: difficulty.—v.i. to hesitate in deciding or acting.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Of fresh outer rind of Seville orange or lemon-peel, three ounces, apothecaries’ weight; boiling water a pint and a half; infuse them for a night in a close vessel; then strain the liquor: let it stand to settle; and having poured it off clear from the sediment, dissolve in it two pounds of double-refined loaf sugar, and make it into a syrup with a gentle heat.

From Project Gutenberg

Of allspice bruised, three ounces, apothecaries’ weight.Brandy, a quart.

From Project Gutenberg