Word Study
centner
CIDE DICTIONARY
centner, n. [Cf. G. centner a hundred-weight, fr. L. centenarius of a hundred, fr. centum a hundred.].
- A weight divisible first into a hundred parts, and then into smaller parts. [1913 Webster]" The metallurgists use a weight divided into a hundred equal parts, each one pound; the whole they call a centner: the pound is divided into thirty-two parts, or half ounces; the half ounce into two quarters; and each of these into two drams. But the assayers use different weights. With them a centner is one dram, to which the other parts are proportioned." [1913 Webster]
- The commercial hundredweight in several of the continental countries, varying in different places from 100 to about 112 pounds. [1913 Webster]
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