steelyard

noun

steel·​yard ˈstēl-ˌyärd 

ˈstil-yərd

: a balance in which an object to be weighed is suspended from the shorter arm of a lever and the weight determined by moving a counterpoise along a graduated scale on the longer arm until equilibrium is attained

Illustration of steelyard

Word History

Etymology

probably from steel entry 3 + yard entry 4 (rod)

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

steelyard

noun

steel·​yard ˈstē(ə)l-ˌyärd 

: a balance on which something to be weighed is hung from the shorter arm of a lever and is balanced by a weight that slides along the longer arm which is marked with a scale