I. ˈau̇n(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English unce, ounce, from Middle French unce, from Latin uncia twelfth part, ounce, inch, from unus one — more at one
1. : any of various units of weight based on the ancient Roman unit equal to 1/12 Roman pound: as
a. : a unit equal to 1/12 troy pound
b. : a unit equal to 1/16 avoirdupois pound — see measure table
2. : a small portion or quantity
if any of them had used a grain of common sense or an ounce of resolution — Dan Wickenden
3. : fluidounce
4. : onza
5. : a unit of thickness for leather equal to 1/64 inch or 0.397 millimeter
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English unce, once, from Old French once, alteration (by false division, the l of lonce being taken as the definite article, and lonce as l'once the lynx), of lonce, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin lyncea, luncea, from Latin lync-, lynx lynx — more at lynx
1. archaic : any of various moderate-sized wildcats (as the ocelot or lynx)
tigers, ounces, pards, gamboled before them — John Milton
2. : snow leopard
3. archaic : cheetah
4. : a heraldic representation of a leopard