Definition of ounce

The origin of the word "ounce" dates back to ancient Rome. The Latin word "uncia" referred to a unit of weight or measure, equal to 1/12 of a Roman pound. This Latin word is derived from the Greek word "unkyos" (ὄνυξ), meaning "nail" or "claw," possibly because the Roman pound was marked with 12 nail-like notches. During the Middle Ages, the term "ounce" was adopted into Old English as "unce" or "ouns," and was used to measure both weight and volume. Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form, "ounce." The term "ounce" is still used today to measure weight, particularly in the United States, where it is equal to 28.35 grams or 1/16 of a pound. Interestingly, the same etymology is also linked to other related words, such as "inch" and "uncial," which are all part of the Roman numeral system.