Aune

/ɔːn/ noun

Definition

An old unit of measurement for length used in France and some other European countries, roughly equivalent to an English yard or meter.

Etymology

From Old French 'aune,' from Latin 'ulna' (forearm/elbow). Many measurement units were based on body parts—the aune was supposedly the length of a man's arm.

Kelly Says

Medieval measurements were charmingly based on human bodies—an aune was an arm's length, a foot was a foot, an inch was the width of a thumb—which is why different regions had slightly different 'standards' for the same unit.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.