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drachm

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A unit of weight equal to one-eighth of an ounce or approximately 1.77 grams; used in medicine and precious materials; also spelled dram.

Detailed Definition
The drachm (or dram), from Greek "drachmē," measures one-eighth ounce or about 1.77 grams. Used in apothecary weight, medicine, and precious materials, it enabled precise small-scale measurement. In poetry concerning medicine, apothecaries, or precise measurement, drachm provides authentic technical terminology. The term evokes medical practice, pharmaceutical preparation, and the precision required in healing arts. Poets employed drachms when treating medical themes, apothecary scenes, or contexts requiring minute accuracy, adding technical authenticity and connecting to traditions of medical measurement and pharmaceutical practice.
Example
Example in poetry:
In poetry about apothecaries, "three drachms of laudanum measured into the dark glass bottle" creates atmospheric period detail; Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet references poison measured in drachms, connecting precise measurement to mortality; In verse about Victorian medicine, "the doctor prescribed two drachms of tincture, warning against exceeding the dose"; Poetry exploring the apothecary's craft might describe "drachms and scruples, grains and ounces—precision between healing and harm"; Historical verse about pharmacists could reference "she measured each drachm carefully, knowing error meant death or agony"; Modern poets writing about medical history often invoke "before milligrams came drachms, before standardization came skill and prayer."
Additional Notes
The drachm (also spelled dram) appears extensively in pharmaceutical and apothecary contexts, making it essential for understanding medical poetry and Victorian literature. Students should understand apothecary weight system: 20 grains = 1 scruple, 3 scruples = 1 drachm, 8 drachms = 1 ounce. The drachm enabled precise pharmaceutical dosing in an era when small errors meant death or inefficacy. In poetry about medicine, apothecaries, poison, or healing, drachms provide authentic technical vocabulary. Shakespeare and other dramatists use pharmaceutical measurements for atmosphere and authenticity. Understanding that drachm derives from Greek "drachmē" connects it to ancient weight and currency. Students should note the drachm's continued use in pharmacy until relatively recently (mid-20th century), making it accessible in historical medical contexts. Related terms include grain, scruple, and ounce, all apothecary weights. The drachm can symbolize precision between healing and harm, scientific measurement versus mysterious potions, or the quantification of life-saving substances. For students writing about Victorian medicine, apothecary shops, or pharmaceutical history, drachm measurement adds period authenticity.
Also Known As
drachma dram
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