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Glite Dictionary
metric grain

metric grain

7.9
A unit of weight that equals 50 milligrams or 1/4 carat used for pearls and diamonds
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : grano métrico
  • A metric grain weighs exactly 50 milligrams.

Examples

  • The diamond was weighed at precisely two metric grains.

  • Pearls are often measured in metric grain units for greater accuracy.

  • A metric grain is equivalent to exactly 50 milligrams, commonly used in gem trades.

  • The jeweler measured the diamond in metric grains.

  • A metric grain is a precise unit of weight that equals 50 milligrams, commonly used in jewelry.

  • For accuracy in trading, gems are often listed with their weight in metric grains.

  • The jeweler noted that the pearl weighed three metric grains before sale.

Synonyms

grain
vsmetric grain
  • Specialized
15 7.2

A small unit of weight used for bullets and medicine

is the fixed 50 milligram measure used for pearls and diamonds

Surface Forms

metric grain singular
metric grains plural

Morphology

metric + grain

The compound clearly combines 'metric' (relating to the metric system/units) with 'grain' (an old unit of mass), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is a unit of weight in the metric system. However, the specific magnitude (50 mg / 1/4 carat) and its specialized use for pearls and diamonds are not predictable from the constituents alone and require prior exposure.

Etymology

Metric grain comes from the old idea of a tiny grain, a seed used as a small weight, with metric added to make that small weight exact. So, metric grain means the exact unit of weight equal to 50 milligrams used for pearls and diamonds.