Hectogram
/ˈhɛk.təˌɡræm/noun
A unit of mass equal to 100 grams.
Did you know?The prefix hecto- comes from Greek hekaton, and it still survives in scientific words that quietly preserve ancient counting magic.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἑκατόν (hekatón)
“one hundred”
19th Century
French
hecto-
“a metric prefix meaning one hundred”
19th Century
French
gramme
“a metric unit of mass”
Modern English
English
hectogram
“a unit of mass equal to 100 grams”
Explore more surprising origins