Scrupulum
Scrupulum, meaning a tiny stone (from scrupus sharp stone), indicates a weight of 1/24 of an ounce or, by extension, of other measures. Metaphorically, the stone is thought to be sharp and pricking, like a thorn.
- As a weight or a coin, 1/24 of an uncia, or 1/288 of an as[1]
- As a measure of land, 1/288 of a jugerum[2]
- As a measure of time, 1/24 part of an hour.[3]
The forms scripulum, scriptulum, scriplus and scriptulus can be found, scriptulum being also associated with the lines on a draughtboard.
References
Félix Gaffiot: Dictionnaire Illustré Latin Français, Hachette 1934
See also
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