libbra

Definition

A traditional Italian unit of mass now equated to the pound.

Etymology

From Italian libbra. Doublet of arratel, Libra, libra, lira, litra, litre, livre, and rottol.

Example Sentences

• "We find that in modern times the funt of Russia, the libbra of Italy, the libra of Spain, Portugal and various South and Central American countries, the livre of France and Greece, the pfund of Germany, the pond of Java and the Netherlands, and the pund of Denmark and Sweden, correspond to the avoirdupois pound, as we know it, although the exact equivalents in terms of our pound vary from about ¾ to over 2 pounds."
• "In the first two samples analysed (1743 and 1753), bread remained a grant for young children only, who were recipients of three to four libbre of bread per week."
• "From this treasury, Julius Caesar, having broken down the doors, took 4,135 libbre of gold and nine hundred thousand libbre of silver, and in their place he put the same quantity of gilt bronze."