Momme

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional Japanese unit of weight used mainly for pearls and precious metals, approximately equal to 3.75 grams; also denotes a unit measuring cloth length equivalent to one-tenth of a Japanese shaku; furthermore, it can refer to an antique unit sometimes used in trade and textiles
2. A measurement originating from Japan used primarily in jewelry and fabric industries, roughly translating to 3.75 grams; in textile contexts, it corresponds to a length unit equal to one-tenth of a shaku; historically it has also been associated with specific commercial standards in material weighing
3. An ancient Japanese weight standard for pearls and metals approximately 3.75 grams; a cloth length measurement standing at one-tenth of a traditional Japanese shaku unit; and a historical unit employed in various trade and textile applications in Japan

Etymology: Japanese traders used 匁 as a unit of weight for precious metals and silk, and English took the term directly from Japanese. The character itself is a Japanese creation (a kokuji) rather than a borrowing from Chinese writing, which is unusual for a unit of measure. Jewelers still use the unit for pearls, and the textile trade uses it to grade silk fabric by weight, so the term has stayed in commercial use outside Japan.

Synonyms: weight unit, Japanese weight unit