pennyweight
/'peniweit/
Definition
- Noun:
- A unit of apothecary weight: A "pennyweight" is a unit of mass traditionally used in the troy weight system, primarily for precious metals like gold and silver. It is equal to 24 grains.
Usage
- The "pennyweight" is an archaic unit but is still used in some contexts, such as in jewelry and bullion trading, to measure the weight of precious metals.
- Its abbreviation is dwt, which originates from the Roman , a silver coin similar to a penny.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The pennyweight was historically linked to the weight of a silver penny in medieval England. The troy system, which includes the pennyweight, is different from the more common avoirdupois system used for everyday items.
- Conversion: One pennyweight (dwt) is exactly 1/20 of a troy ounce. There are 20 pennyweights in one troy ounce.
Variants and Related Words
- Troy weight (n): The system of units that includes the pennyweight, grain, troy ounce, and troy pound.
- Grain (n): The smallest unit in the troy and avoirdupois systems. One pennyweight equals 24 grains.
Synonyms
- dwt: The standard abbreviation for pennyweight.
- (There are no direct common synonyms, as it is a specific unit of measure.)
Related Phrases
- By the pennyweight: Sold or measured using this unit.
- Gold was often traded by the pennyweight in the 19th century.
Noun
-
a unit of apothecary weight equal to 24 grains
