Pecul
/ˈpiː.kəl/noun
An obsolete variant spelling of picul, a former Asian unit of weight equal to 100 catties.
Did you know?Pecul is an English spelling variant of picul, whose source is Malay pikul, meaning “to carry on the shoulder.”
Etymological Timeline
Before the 17th Century
Malay
pikul
“A burden carried on the shoulder; the term also became a unit of weight.”
Early Modern Period
Chinese trade usage
担
“A traditional weight associated with a load carried by a porter, conventionally 100 catties.”
17th Century
English
picul
“A Chinese or Southeast Asian unit of weight, commonly reckoned as 100 catties.”
17th–19th Century
English
pecul
“An alternative English spelling of picul.”
Modern English
English
pecul
“An obsolete or historical term for the picul.”