ton 1
/tun/ , n.
1. a unit of weight, equivalent to 2000 pounds (0.907 metric ton) avoirdupois (short ton) in the U.S. and 2240 pounds (1.016 metric tons) avoirdupois (long ton) in Great Britain.
2. Also called freight ton . a unit of volume for freight that weighs one ton, varying with the type of freight measured, as 40 cubic feet of oak timber or 20 bushels of wheat.
3. See metric ton .
4. See displacement ton .
5. a unit of volume used in transportation by sea, commonly equal to 40 cubic feet (1.13 cu. m) (shipping ton or measurement ton) .
6. a unit of internal capacity of ships, equal to 100 cubic feet (2.83 cu. m) (register ton) .
7. Often, tons . Informal. a great quantity; a lot: a ton of jokes; tons of wedding presents.
8. Brit. Informal. a speed of 100 miles per hour.
[ 1350-1400; ME; var. of TUN ]
ton 2
— tonish, tonnish /ton"ish/ , adj. — tonishly, tonnishly , adv. — tonishness, tonnishness , n.
Fr. /tawonn/ , n. , pl. tons Fr. /tawonn/ .
1. high fashion; stylishness.
2. the current fashion, style, or vogue.
[ 1755-65; tonus TONE ]