Decempeda

/ˌdɛsɛmˈpiːdə/ noun

Definition

An ancient Roman measuring rod or staff that was ten feet long.

Etymology

From Latin 'decem' (ten) + 'pes' (foot) + '-a' (noun suffix). Used by Roman surveyors and engineers to measure land and construct buildings.

Kelly Says

The Roman foot (pes) was about 11.6 inches, so a decempeda measuring rod was roughly 9.7 modern feet—Roman surveyors used these standardized tools to build roads and cities with impressive precision.

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