POUND

(Lat. pond us, weight.) A measure of weight. In England two different pounds are used; the pound avoirdupois, and the pound troy. The pound avoirdupois weighs 7000 grains troy, and the pound troy 5760 grains. The former is divided into 16 ounces, and the latter into 12. (See Weight.) Pound is also a denomination of money; the pound sterling being equal in value to 20 shillings, or 240 pence. Anciently 240 pence were equivalent to a pound of silver; hence the origin of the term. [s. 988]