ounce

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

(noun)

If you have 1/16 of a pound of caviar, this is an example of an ounce of caviar.
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.

See ounce in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

: 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
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

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.
A fluid ounce. See Table at measurement.
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

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