Mitqal
/ˈmɪt.kɑːl/noun
A traditional Islamic unit of weight, commonly reckoned as approximately 4.25 grams.
Did you know?The mitqal was used in Islamic societies to weigh precious materials such as gold, and its value could vary by region and historical period.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ṯ-q-l
“To be heavy or carry weight”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ثَقُلَ (ṯaqula)
“To be heavy”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
مِثقال (miṯqāl)
“A standard weight; literally, an instrument or measure for weighing”
Medieval Islamic period
Arabic
miṯqāl
“A unit of weight used especially for gold, silver, and coinage”
19th–20th Century
English
mithqal / mitqal
“An English loanword for the traditional Islamic weight unit”
Modern English
English
mitqal
“A traditional unit of weight, approximately 4.25 grams in a commonly used standard”