One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
1A measure of weight, equal to one sixth of a Roman ounce (uncia), or about 4.5 grams; (also) a Roman coin of this weight, or (occasionally) one weighing two ounces and worth one sixth of an as.
2A measure of length, especially one equal to one sixth of a Roman inch (uncia).
Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From classical Latin sextula sixth part of a Roman ounce ( uncia), sixth part of a Roman inch ( uncia) from sexta, use as noun (short for sexta pars sixth part) of feminine of sextus sixth + -ula.
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