ounce

The definition of an ounce is 1/16 of a pound or a very small amount of something.

(noun)

  1. If you have 1/16 of a pound of caviar, this is an example of an ounce of caviar.
  2. If you show only a tiny amount of compassion to someone who is suffering when you'd be expected to show more, this is an example of when you show an ounce of compassion.

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See ounce in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. : symbol for all preceding senses, oz
    1. a unit of weight, equal to pound avoirdupois or 16 drams (28.3495 grams)
    2. a unit of weight, equal to pound troy or 20 pennyweights (31.1035 grams)
    3. a unit of weight, equal to pound apothecaries' weight or 8 drams (31.1035 grams)
    4. fluid ounce
  2. any small amount: an ounce of care

Origin: OFr unce < L uncia, a twelfth, twelfth part of a foot or pound, orig., unit, akin to L unus, one

noun

snow leopard

Origin: ME once < OFr < l'once, mistaken for lonce < VL *luncea < L lynx, lynx

See ounce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Abbr. oz
    a. A unit of weight in the U.S. Customary System, an avoirdupois unit equal to 437.5 grains (28.35 grams).
    b. A unit of apothecary weight, equal to 480 grains (31.10 grams). See Table at measurement.
  2. A fluid ounce. See Table at measurement.
  3. A tiny bit: not an ounce of sympathy.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English unce

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin ūncia; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots

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noun

Origin:

Origin: Middle English unce

Origin: , from Old French once

Origin: , alteration of lonce

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *luncea

Origin: , from Latin lynx, lync-, lynx

Origin: , from Greek lunx; see leuk- in Indo-European roots

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