n. [ Cf. G. centner a hundred-weight, fr. L. centenarius of a hundred, fr. centum a hundred. ] 1. (Metal. & Assaying) A weight divisible first into a hundred parts, and then into smaller parts. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The metallurgists use a weight divided into a hundred equal parts, each one pound; the whole they call a centner: the pound is divided into thirty-two parts, or half ounces; the half ounce into two quarters; and each of these into two drams. But the assayers use different weights. With them a centner is one dram, to which the other parts are proportioned. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The commercial hundredweight in several of the continental countries, varying in different places from 100 to about 112 pounds. [ 1913 Webster ] |