centigram

A scientist measures a chemical sample on a centigram scale.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Unit of mass: A "centigram" is a metric unit of mass equal to one hundredth (1/100) of a gram. It is used in scientific and precise measurements where small quantities are involved.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory weighed the chemical sample as 50 centigrams. (The sample’s mass is 0.5 grams, or half a gram.)
  • A single centigram is equivalent to 10 milligrams. (One hundredth of a gram equals ten thousandths of a gram.)
  • The recipe called for 2 centigrams of saffron. (A very small amount of spice was required.)

Advanced Usage

• "a centigram of precision": an extremely small degree of accuracy.

  • The scale measures to within a centigram of error. (The device is accurate to 0.01 grams.)

• "centigram balance": a type of laboratory scale sensitive to centigram increments.

  • The chemist used a centigram balance to weigh the powder. (A scale that measures in hundredths of a gram.)

Variants and Related Words

• Centigramme (n): alternative spelling of "centigram," primarily used in British English.

  • The prescription required a centigramme of the active ingredient. (Same meaning as centigram.)

• Milligram (n): a unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a gram (0.001 g), which is smaller than a centigram.

  • One centigram equals ten milligrams. (10 mg = 0.01 g.)

• Decigram (n): a unit of mass equal to one tenth of a gram (0.1 g), which is larger than a centigram.

  • Ten centigrams make one decigram. (10 cg = 1 dg.)

Synonyms

• Hundredth of a gram: a precise equivalent phrase.
  • The weight was recorded as one hundredth of a gram. (Synonymous with one centigram.)

Related Idioms

Phrasal Verbs