Apothecaries' Weight
Definition:
"Apothecaries' weight" is a system of measurement that was historically used in pharmacies to weigh ingredients for medicines. In this system, specific units of weight are used, such as grains, ounces, and pounds.
Basic Units: - Grain: The smallest unit, often used for measuring very light substances. - Dram: There are 60 grains in a dram. - Ounce: There are 480 grains in an ounce (or 8 drams). - Pound: There are 12 ounces in a pound (or 5,760 grains).
Usage Instructions:
You typically use apothecaries' weight when discussing or measuring ingredients in a pharmacy or when making traditional medicines. However, it is less common today, as most pharmacies now use the metric system (like grams and milliliters).
Example Sentence:
"The pharmacist carefully measured the medication using apothecaries' weight to ensure the correct dosage."
Advanced Usage:
While apothecaries' weight was once the standard in medicine, it is now mostly of historical interest. It may be used in discussions about traditional herbal medicine or in historical contexts related to pharmacy.
Word Variants:
- Apothecary: A person who prepares and sells medicines. - Weight: Refers to the measure of heaviness or mass.
Different Meanings:
While "apothecaries' weight" specifically refers to a system of measurement in pharmacy, the word "apothecary" can also refer to a historical role similar to that of a modern-day pharmacist.
Synonyms:
There are no direct synonyms for "apothecaries' weight," but you might refer to it as "pharmaceutical weight" in some contexts.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "apothecaries' weight." However, you might encounter phrases like "weighing options" in a metaphorical sense, which means considering different choices.
In summary, "apothecaries' weight" is an old system of measurement used mainly in pharmacies, consisting of grains, drams, ounces, and pounds.