ounce

¹

[ouns]

noun

1. a unit of weight equal to 437.5 grains or 1/16 pound (28.35 grams) avoirdupois.

2. a unit of 480 grains, 1/12 pound (31.1 grams) troy or apothecaries' weight.

3. a fluid ounce.

4. a small quantity or portion.

ounce

²

[ouns]

noun

1. snow leopard.

ounce

¹

/ aʊns /

noun

1. oz. a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (avoirdupois); 1 ounce is equal to 437.5 grains or 28.349 grams

2. a unit of weight equal to one twelfth of a Troy or Apothecaries' pound; 1 ounce is equal to 480 grains or 31.103 grams

3. short for fluid ounce

4. a small portion or amount

ounce

²

/ aʊns /

noun

1. another name for snow leopard

ounce

1. A unit of weight in the US Customary System equal to 1/16 of a pound or 437.5 grains (28.35 grams).

2. See Table at measurement

3. See fluid ounce

Word History and Origins

Origin of ounce¹

1350–1400; Middle English unce < Middle French < Latin uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce, derivative of unus one

Origin of ounce²

1300–50; Middle English unce lynx < Anglo-French; Old French once, variant of lonce (erroneously taken as l'once the ounce) < Vulgar Latin *luncea, derivative of Latin lync- (stem of lynx ) lynx

Word History and Origins

Origin of ounce¹

C14: from Old French unce, from Latin uncia a twelfth; from ūnus one

Origin of ounce²

C18: from Old French once, by mistaken division of lonce as if l'once, from Latin _lynx

Idioms and Phrases

• more bang for the buck (bounce for the ounce)

Example Sentences

They have put every single ounce of themselves into this thing they love, and then all of a sudden, they’re ripped out from that ecosystem, and they’re trying to find purpose.

From Los Angeles Times

“No, actually, three quarts. Or maybe seven gallons — but only routed to your rear brakes. Actually, let’s settle on half an ounce.”

From Los Angeles Times

“There was not one ounce of promotion or anything. It was truly all because of the underground scene.”

From Los Angeles Times

The spot gold price hit $3,508.50 per ounce early on Tuesday, continuing its upwards trend which has seen it rise by nearly a third this year.

From BBC

“It’s going to take every little ounce of us to do what we want to do,” Rojas said.

From Los Angeles Times