litre

Overview

Meaning Now

• A metric unit of capacity equal to 1,000 cubic centimetres or 1 cubic decimetre.

Journey

The litre was introduced in France in 1795 as one of the 'republican units of measurement'. It replaced a variety of regional units, deriving its name from the older 'litron', which was approximately 0.8 litres in volume.

Evolution

1. Ancient Greek

   litra

   “a Sicilian silver coin and a unit of weight”

   Introduced via trade.

2. Late Latin

   litra

   “a pound weight”

3. Old French

   litron

   “a liquid measure”

4. French (1795)

   litre

   “unit of volume”

   Adopted as part of the new metric system.

Connections

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