octarius

alternative octavius

1. historicalobsoleterareThe pint (eighth of a gallon) in the apothecaries' system.

   Olivae oleum, L. Olea Europæa, E. Olive oil. An octarius of which acts as a gentle laxative.

   1814, W. Peck, Veterinary Medicine, and Therapeutics: Containing the Effects of Medicines on various Animals; the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Diseases, with a Select Collection of Formulaes, London, page 40

   3 more examples

   The college take for their standard the exchequer wine measure of the realm, which they divide into the octarius or pint, the eighth part of a gallon; the fluid ounce, equal the sixteenth part[…]

   1810, The Tradesman, Or, Commercial Magazine, page 412

   […] in one example at least, appears in the same pages of the same volume; therefore, should Fowler's solution be prepared from such an authority, is there not a chance of twelve ounces troy weight being substituted for the pint, or, what is now deservedly preferred, the octarius of the College here? - The technical excellence of the work high character of the author[…]

   1810, The Medical and Physical Journal: Containing the Earliest Information on Subjects of Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Natural History ..., page 404

   Many physicians even ordered the octarius (℥xx pint) when they intended the 16 oz. pint, to which they were accustomed in their youth […] Similar perplexities will occur with weights, if the terms, drachm, scruple, and grain be retained and the value depreciated, […]

   1863, The Pharmaceutical Journal ...: A Weekly Record of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences, page 122