pound
pound a unit of weight equal to 16 oz. avoirdupois (0.4536 kg), or 12 oz. troy (0.3732 kg); the basic monetary unit (also pound sterling) of the UK, equal to 100 pence (prior to decimalization, 20 shillings or 240 pence). Recorded from Old English, the word is of Germanic origin, and comes ultimately from Latin (libra) pondo, denoting a Roman ‘pound weight’ of 12 ounces.
In the UK in the late 20th century the pound as a monetary unit has become emblematic of a desire to preserve British currency from the European standardization already applied by metrication to weights and measures.
one's pound of flesh something one is strictly or legally entitled to, but which it is ruthless or inhuman to demand. The allusion is to Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, and the bond between Antonio and Shylock by which Antonio pledges a pound of his own flesh if he defaults on the bill. Shylock's insistence (defeated by Portia) on holding to the letter of the agreement is taken as a type of rapacity and ferocity.
See also an ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept, take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves, in for a penny, in for a pound, penny wise and pound foolish.
In the UK in the late 20th century the pound as a monetary unit has become emblematic of a desire to preserve British currency from the European standardization already applied by metrication to weights and measures.
one's pound of flesh something one is strictly or legally entitled to, but which it is ruthless or inhuman to demand. The allusion is to Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, and the bond between Antonio and Shylock by which Antonio pledges a pound of his own flesh if he defaults on the bill. Shylock's insistence (defeated by Portia) on holding to the letter of the agreement is taken as a type of rapacity and ferocity.
See also an ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept, take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves, in for a penny, in for a pound, penny wise and pound foolish.
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pound