Meanings
nounxylon (plural xyla)
plural xyla
- historicalA unit of length in Ancient Greece.
The xylon, in which naubia are measured. The royal (xylon) 9 comprises 3 cubits, 18 palms, 72 fingers; 10 the private (xylon) comprises 2⅔ cubits, 16 palms, 64 fingers, so that the surveyor's schoinion comprises 32 royal xyla, and 36 private (xyla).
2020, Roger S. Bagnall, Alexander Jones, Mathematics, Metrology, and Model Contracts, page 81
Origin
- Ancient Greekξύλον
- Englishxylon
From Ancient Greek ξύλον (xúlon).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
xylon. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xylon
MLA
“xylon.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xylon. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “xylon,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xylon.
Source: xylon on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.