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pugil

9.9

A small handful of a dry substance, like a spice

noun
/ˈpjuːdʒɪl/

Archaic

: puñado

Add a pugil of saffron to give the dish its golden color.

Examples

In old recipes, a pugil of spice was a common measurement.
The apothecary measured a pugil of herbs for the remedy.
He added a pugil of salt to the recipe.
A pugil of spice can enhance the flavor.
The chef instructed her assistant to add a pugil of paprika to the sauce.
When making the herbal remedy, she knew to measure a precise pugil of crushed mint.
For the best flavor, a pugil of cinnamon is often used in traditional baking.

Synonyms

pinch

vspugil

37 1.0

A small amount of a spice held between your fingers

also covers slightly larger small handfuls rather than only thumb-held amounts

a pinch of

vspugil

21 1.5

A very small amount of salt or spice used in cooking

is an old word that also applies beyond just cooking uses

smidge

vspugil

Informal

13 7.9

A very small amount of something

refers to a small measurable handful rather than an almost invisible trace

maniple

vspugil

Archaic

1 9.9

A small amount that can be held in one hand

is mainly used for powders or spices measured in small amounts

How Much

cupful

2 1.7

handful

88 1.0

spoonful

24 1.0

pugil

Archaic

9.9

pinch

37 1.0

to dash

25 2.8

trace

498 3.3

Surface Forms

pugil singular

pugils plural

Etymology

Pugil comes from the Latin words pugillus 'small fist' and pugnus 'fist', so it was used for the amount you can hold in your hand; a pugil was a small handful or pinch of a powder or spice.