A unit of weight in the metric system equal to one-thousandth of a gram, used for measuring small amounts of medicine or substances.
From French 'milligramme'—'milli-' (Latin for one-thousandth) + 'gramme' (Greek 'gramma,' a small weight). Adopted into English during metric system standardization in the 1800s.
Medicine is precisely measured in milligrams because tiny differences matter hugely—a doctor needs to give you exactly the right dose, not 'about this much'—which is why the metric system became essential for pharmacy!
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