picul

American  

[pik-uhl] / ˈpɪk əl /

noun

1. (in China and Southeast Asia) a weight equal to 100 catties, or from about 133 to about 143 pounds avoirdupois (60–64 kilograms).

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picul British  

/ ˈpɪkəl /

noun

1. a unit of weight, used in China, Japan, and SE Asia, equal to approximately 60 kilograms or 133 pounds

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Etymology

Origin of picul

First recorded in 1580–90; from Malay pikull, the term for the maximum load that a man using a shoulder yoke can carry

Example Sentences

The captains, he said, were paying ten dollars for a picul of pepper.

From Literature

One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own, and likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one’s own store.

From Forbes

The British barque Chilo got ashore outside, and has parted amidships; about 100 piculs copper cash have been saved from her cargo.

From Project Gutenberg

The price of this manure varies with the quality from one dollar to three dollars the picul.

From Project Gutenberg

Dry sugar was exported in its original bags, and loading and shipping cost 12½ cents per picul.

From Project Gutenberg