troy weight

noun

1. a system of weights in use for precious metals and gems (formerly also for bread, grain, etc.): 24 grains = 1 pennyweight (1.555 grams); 20 pennyweights = 1 ounce (31.103 grams); 12 ounces = 1 pound (0.373 kilogram). The grain, ounce, and pound are the same as in apothecaries' weight, the grain alone being the same as in avoirdupois weight. The troy pound is no longer a standard weight in Great Britain.

troy weight

/ trɔɪ /

noun

1. a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones, based on the grain, which is identical to the avoirdupois grain. 24 grains = 1 pennyweight; 20 pennyweights = 1 (troy) ounce; 12 ounces = 1 (troy) pound

troy weight

/ troi /

1. A system of weights and measures in which the grain is the same as in the avoirdupois system, and a pound contains 12 ounces, or 5,760 grains. Troy weight is used primarily by miners and gold dealers.
2. Compare avoirdupois weight

Word History and Origins

Origin of troy weight¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of troy weight¹

C14: named after the city of Troyes , France, where it was first used

Example Sentences

For refining, the gold is boiled fifteen minutes, poured off into hand moulds 18 pounds troy weight, strewn with ivory black, and then left to cool.

From Project Gutenberg

The town of Troyes has given its name to troy weight.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet our purchase of 4,500,000 ounces, troy weight, or 187 tons, of silver a month, at market price, brought into the United States large amounts of silver from all parts of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

The true ratio between the avoirdupois and troy weights, is a very contested one.

From Project Gutenberg

The collar is of gold, weighing thirty ounces troy weight, and contains twenty-six garters enamelled proper, in each a rose gules between; the garters are connected by knots.

From Project Gutenberg