Pennyweight: meaning, definitions and examples
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pennyweight
[ ˈpɛn.i.weɪt ]
weight measurement
A pennyweight is a unit of mass that is equal to 1/20th of a troy ounce or approximately 1.555 grams. It is commonly used in the measurement of precious metals like gold and silver. The term comes from the historical use of a penny as a weight reference in the British coinage system. In modern applications, it is primarily utilized by jewelers and in the assay of metals.
Synonyms
dwt, troy weight
Examples of usage
- The jeweler weighed the gold using pennyweights.
- A standard ounce contains 20 pennyweights.
- The value of the ring is based on its pennyweight.
- The assay report lists the purity in pennyweights.
Translations
Translations of the word "pennyweight" in other languages:
🇵🇹 peso de penique
🇮🇳 पैनीवेट
🇩🇪 Pennyweight
🇮🇩 pennyweight
🇺🇦 пеннівейт
🇵🇱 pennyweight
🇯🇵 ペニーウェイト
🇫🇷 once de penny
🇪🇸 pennyweight
🇹🇷 pennyweight
🇰🇷 페니웨이트
🇸🇦 وزن البنس
🇨🇿 pennyweight
🇸🇰 pennyweight
🇨🇳 便士重量
🇸🇮 pennyweight
🇮🇸 peningavigt
🇰🇿 пеннивейті
🇬🇪 პენი-წონა
🇦🇿 pennyweight
🇲🇽 pennyweight
Etymology
The term 'pennyweight' originated from the Old English word 'penig', which means 'penny'. Historically, the penny was used as a unit of weight in ancient Britain, and it was standardized in the context of coinage and trade. The pennyweight became a part of the troy weight system, which was introduced for trading precious metals and gems. The system established a standard measure of currency in the form of weighted metal coins. The troy ounce, which is equivalent to the pennyweight, helped in standardizing the trade of gold and silver. Over time, the pennyweight became less common in everyday use but remains relevant in specialized fields like jewelry, where precise measurements are crucial. The use of pennyweights has persisted due to their historical significance and their precision in the context of tiny weights used in precious metal trading.