ounce

ounce · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*óynos“one”
2. Latin · derived fromū̆ncia“Roman ounce, various similar units”
3. Middle French · derived fromonce
4. Middle English · inherited fromounce
5. English todayounce

From Middle English ounce, unce, from Middle French once, from Latin ū̆ncia (“Roman ounce, various similar units”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *óynos (“one”). Doublet of a, one, inch, uncia, onça, onza, oka, ouguiya, and awqiyyah.

ounce · noun²

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromλύγξ“lynx”
2. Italian · derived fromlonza
3. Old French · derived fromlonce“lynx”
4. Middle French · borrowed fromonce
5. English todayounce

From Middle French once, from Old French lonce (“lynx”), by false division (the l was thought to be the article), from Italian lonza, ultimately from Ancient Greek λύγξ (lúnx, “lynx”). Doublet of onza and lynx.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A large wild feline, such as a lynx or cougar.
• from 18th c. Synonym of snow leopard, Panthera uncia.