Corbus

Corbus (often encountered in historical texts, particularly relating to early modern European history) refers to a unit of dry measure, primarily used in France before the metric system was adopted. Its precise volume varied significantly depending on the region and the commodity being measured. The corbus was typically used for grains, seeds, and other dry goods.

The size of a corbus could fluctuate dramatically even within a single province, making direct conversions to modern units like liters or bushels challenging without specifying the location and substance being measured. Regional variations were often established by local custom or by decrees from provincial authorities. The corbus therefore serves as an illustration of the fragmented and localized systems of measurement that characterized pre-metric Europe. Historical documents referencing the corbus must be carefully analyzed within their specific geographical and temporal context to understand the quantities involved. Efforts to standardize measurements, including the attempt to establish a uniform corbus, often proved difficult due to strong local resistance and vested interests. The eventual adoption of the metric system led to the disuse of the corbus and other traditional units of measure.