ouncil

English

Etymology

Compare ounce and auncel.

Noun

ouncil (plural ouncils)

1. (Ireland, obsolete) Scales for weighing produce at a market
   • 1877, Local Government and Taxation of Towns Inquiry Commission (Ireland), “Minutes of Evidence: Naas, March 19, 1877: William Samuel Gray”, in Report, Part III (Command papers)‎^[1], volume C-1787, page 93, §77:

     He is our rate collector and ouncil weigh-master, and his son is our market clerk.

   • 1891, Royal Commission on Market Rights and Tolls, “Kilmallock—Co. Limerick; Mr. J.J. O'Sullivan, merchant, examined”, in Minutes and reports on Ulster, Leinster and Munster, November 1st, 1888, to January 7th, 1889; Vol.X (Command papers)‎^[2], volume C-6268-IV, pages 140, §§21,136–21,137:

     You have got an ouncil?—Yes.
     What commodities do you weigh on that ouncil?—Hay and straw principally; mangolds and turnips.

   • 1891, Royal Commission on Market Rights and Tolls, “Tipperary, 1st November 1889 [sic]; Mr. George Caldwell examined.”, in Minutes and reports on Ulster, Leinster and Munster, November 1st, 1888, to January 7th, 1889; Vol.X (Command papers)‎^[3], volume C-6268-IV, page 49, §17.938:

     Are there not some private individuals in the town having ouncils or weighbridges?

Anagrams

• ulicon, uncoil