Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of liquid capacity in the apothecary system: A fluid dram is a unit of volume equal to one eighth of a fluid ounce in the apothecary system of measurement, which is used in pharmacy.
   • A British imperial capacity measure: A fluid dram is also a British imperial unit of volume (for liquid or dry measure) equal to 60 minims or approximately 3.5516 cubic centimeters.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old recipe called for two fluid drams of the tincture.
  • In the imperial system, a fluid dram is equivalent to 60 minims.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The is a traditional unit largely supplanted by the metric system in medicine and science, but it may appear in historical texts or very specific traditional contexts.
• Abbreviation: It is often abbreviated as fl dr or simply dr in apothecary notation.

Variants and Related Words

• Dram (noun): A unit of weight in the avoirdupois system (approximately 1.772 grams) and a unit of volume in the apothecary system. Note: When referring to liquid measure, "fluid dram" is more precise.
• Minim (noun): A smaller unit of liquid volume in the apothecary system; 60 minims equal one fluid dram.
• Fluid Ounce (noun): A larger unit of liquid volume; 8 fluid drams equal one fluid ounce.

Synonyms

• Fluid drachm: An alternative, chiefly British, spelling for .

Notes on Meaning

• Apothecary vs. Imperial: While closely related, the U.S. apothecary and the British imperial have very slight historical differences in their defined volumes, though they are often considered equivalent in practical use for the same approximate value. The definition provided consolidates the common understanding.

Noun

1. a unit of capacity or volume in the apothecary system equal to one eighth of a fluid ounce
2. a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 60 minims or 3.5516 cubic centimeters