picul

[ pik-uhl ]

noun

1. (in China and Southeast Asia) a weight equal to 100 catties, or from about 133 to about 143 pounds avoirdupois (60–64 kilograms).

picul

/ ˈpɪkəl /

noun

1. a unit of weight, used in China, Japan, and SE Asia, equal to approximately 60 kilograms or 133 pounds

Word History and Origins

Origin of picul¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Malay pikull, the term for the maximum load that a man using a shoulder yoke can carry

Word History and Origins

Origin of picul¹

C16: from Malay pīkul a grown man's load

Example Sentences

The captains, he said, were paying ten dollars for a picul of pepper.

From Literature

One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own, and likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one’s own store.

From Forbes

The British barque Chilo got ashore outside, and has parted amidships; about 100 piculs copper cash have been saved from her cargo.

From Project Gutenberg

The price of this manure varies with the quality from one dollar to three dollars the picul.

From Project Gutenberg

Consequently the poor savage has to supply six piculs of almaciga.

From Project Gutenberg