Uncia (unit)

The uncia is a Roman unit of measurement, meaning "twelfth part." It was used in several contexts:

• Weight: The uncia was primarily used as a unit of weight, representing one-twelfth of an as, the Roman pound (libra). It was approximately equivalent to 27.288 grams (roughly 0.96 ounces).

• Length: As a unit of length, the uncia was one-twelfth of a pes, the Roman foot.

• Area: An uncia could represent one-twelfth of a jugerum, a Roman unit of land area.

• Volume: For liquid measures, the uncia represented one-twelfth of the sextarius.

• Currency: As a coin, the uncia was one-twelfth of an as.

The term is the etymological origin of the English word "inch" and "ounce." The concept of dividing a larger unit into twelve smaller parts was common in Roman measurement systems, and the uncia played a fundamental role in many everyday transactions and calculations.