1. A weight, the sixteenth
part of a pound avoirdupois, and containing 437 grains.
2. The twelfth
part of a
troy pound.
The
troy ounce contains twenty pennyweights,
every of twenty-four grains, or, in all, 480 grains, and is the twelfth
part of the
troy pound. The
troy ounce is
also a
weight in apothecaries' weight. [Troy
ounce is sometimes written as one word, troyounce.
3. A
little portion; a bit. "By ounces hung
his locks that he had." (Chaucer) Fluid ounce. See Fluid.
Origin: F. Once, fr. L. Uncia a twelfth, the twelfth
part of a pound or of a foot: cf. Gr. Bulk, mass, atom. Cf. 2d Inch, Oke.
A feline quadruped (Felis irbis, or uncia) resembling the leopard in size, and somewhat in colour, but it has longer and thicker fur, which forms a short mane on the back. The ounce is pale yellowish gray, with irregular dark spots on the neck and limbs, and dark rings on the body. It inhabits the lofty mountain ranges of Asia. Called also once.
Origin: F. Once; cf. It. Lonza, Sp. Onza; prob. For lonce, taken as l'once, fr. L. Lynx, Gr, or an (assumed) fem. Adj. Lyncea, from lynx. Cf. Lynx.
Source: Websters Vocabulary