| steelyard | A form of balance in which the body to be weighed is suspended from the shorter arm of a lever, which turns on a fulcrum, and a counterpoise is caused to slide upon the longer arm to produce equilibrium, its place upon this arm (which is notched or graduated) indicating the weight; a Roman balance; very commonly used also in the plural form, steelyards. Origin: So named from a place in London called the Steelyard, which was a yard in which steel was sold. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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