What is weights

Early units were commonly based on body measurements and on plant seeds or other objects from agriculture. As civilization progressed, technological and commercial requirements led to increased standardization.

For example, because the length of the human foot or the width of the palm varies from individual to individual, it probably became necessary first to specify a particular individual e. Units were usually fixed by edict of local or national rulers and were subdivided and multiplied or otherwise arranged into systems of measurement. Standards varied greatly in different localities, although conquest and trade stimulated some correspondence between systems, e.

A high degree of standardization was achieved in the Roman Empire, but after its fall considerable diversity returned. The foot, which was one of the earliest units, is believed to have had as many as variants in Europe as late as the 18th cent. Importance - general words. Paper tablecloths need to be weighted down or they blow away in the wind. BMI body mass index carat centigram ct cwt gm grammage hectogram hundredweight mg microgram milligram ounce oz stone ton tonnage tonne weigh See more results ».

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: Augmenting and supplementing. Her word carried weight with her neighbors. Idiom weight off your mind. The warehouse work involves the lifting of heavy weights. Most fabrics need interfacing to support the weight of buttons.

Imperial weights and measures were introduced in the 13th century. The Association's reports carry weight because it stands for independence and integrity.

The guidelines give greater weight to economic potential. Few people attached much weight to the findings of the enquiry. The building firm threw its weight behind criticism of the government's new planning restrictions. The American economy is slowing down under the weight of higher interest rates.

See also equal weight. The results have been weighted to take account of household size. Examples of weight.

All characters were run unordered and equally weighted. From the Cambridge English Corpus. Retrospective index weights used in multiple trait selection in maize breeding programme. Because sustained injury was not part of the question, we adopted a conservative approach to weighting which may underestimate maltreatment. Probability weighting in choice under risk: an empirical test. Where serious fraud is suspected involving the use of weighing and measuring equipment it could be seized, followed by possible legal proceedings.

For more detailed information please see the In-depth Guides below. Once you've finished, make sure you look at the full range of Quick Guides to see whether there are any other areas of law that affect your business.

When selling goods and providing services, in most circumstances, the consumer must be informed of the selling price in writing. An overview of 'average quantity' and what is required of packers or importers of packaged products. The weight of solid fuel must be specified; this also applies to wood if a relevant bye-law exists, or you opt to show weight.

Businesses who sell products in containers provided by consumers are subject to a variety of legal requirements. The correct abbreviations symbols to use when indicating units of weight or volume for trading purposes. Weighing equipment that is used for legal and trading purposes is required to be accurate and appropriate for its purpose. Consumer enquiries from England, Scotland and Wales are handled by the Citizens Advice Consumer Service who can be contacted by telephone on 04 05 Consumer enquiries in Northern Ireland are handled by ConsumerLine who can be contacted by telephone on Call charges may vary.

Business enquiries are dealt with by your local council. Use the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's postcode finder to locate your local trading standards team.

Breadcrumb Business Companion Guides Weights and measures. Weights and measures The rules on selling goods by weight or measure: quantity, labelling, equipment and inspections. If you weigh or measure goods to sell to consumers, the law states that your equipment must be both suitable and accurate The law also covers the manufacture and approval of this equipment, and lays down requirements about specific quantities in which certain goods must be sold.

What's covered Generally the law requires the majority of food, drink and other goods sold to the public to have their quantities indicated for the customer. Back to top Quantities Nearly all measurable goods must have their quantities stated in metric amounts - for example, kilograms, litres or metres.

Back to top Labelling Consumers must be able to see what the quantity is for goods required to be sold by weight or measure. He stays in good shape by lifting weights. I use pie weights to keep the pie crust from bubbling when I bake it. Verb I weighted the fishing line with a lead sinker. Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The company eventually crumbled into bankruptcy under the weight of thousands of lawsuits.

Keith Roach, oregonlive , 19 May These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weight. First Known Use of weight Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb , in the meaning defined at sense 1. Buying Guide Our team at The Usage has selected the best weight bench of Learn More About weight. Time Traveler for weight The first known use of weight was before the 12th century See more words from the same century.

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. The Verbing Adventures of 'Weigh' and Style: MLA. Kids Definition of weight Entry 1 of 2.