/ aʊns; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] ( abbr. oz ) a unit for measuring weight, 1/16 of a pound, equal to 28.35 grams
—see also fluid ounce
2.
[ sing. ] ounce of sth ( informal ) (used especially with negatives) a very small quantity of sth :
There's not an ounce of truth in her story.
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IDIOMS
see prevention
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French unce , from Latin uncia twelfth part (of a pound or foot); compare with inch .