dram — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A small unit of weight, variously: Synonym of dirhem: a former Turkish unit of weight (variously 1.5–3.5 g).

   Usage

   • Uncommon

   Examples

   Dram (49·5 grains), 100=chequi, 4=oka (2·8286 ℔); dram (49·5 grains), 180=rotl, 100=kintal or kantar (127·29 ℔).

2. A small unit of weight, variously: Synonym of drachma: a former Greek unit of weight (about 4.3 g).

   Usage

   • Obsolete

3. Any similarly minute quantity, (now particularly) a small amount of strong alcohol or poison.

   Usage

   • broadly

   Examples

   a dram of brandy

   Were I the chooser, a dram of well-doing should be preferred before many times as much the forcible hindrance of evildoing.

   More examples (3)

   When Friday came to him I bade him ſpeak to him, and tell him of his Deliverance, and pulling out my Bottle, made him give the poor Wretch a Dram, which, with the News of his being deliver'd, reviv'd him, and he ſat up in the Boat […]

   Oh, brethren, if you wants more preachin' Save a little dram for me (Glory hallelujah!) Drinkin' gin ain't against my teachin'

   Connoisseurs may prefer to savour their dram of single malt straight up. But, for beverage companies, that's not where the growth is.

4. A cart formerly used to haul coal in coal mines.

   Usage

   • Historical

   Examples

   The rolling stock, consisting entirely of four-wheel open trucks, or drams, was broken up at Bonvilles Court Colliery.

5. Synonym of drachma: a Greek silver coin weighing one drachma; other similar coins.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams [i.e., the Persian daric] of gold, and five thousand pound of silver […]

Verb

1. To drink drams.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   What I contend against is, this dramming, dramming, dramming, at all hours of the day. There are some men who take a glass at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and at four in the afternoon.

2. To ply with drams of drink.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Transitive

   Examples

   The parents[…]are getting ready their daughter for sale[…]praying her, and imploring her, and dramming her, and coaxing her.

Noun

1. The currency of Armenia, divided into 100 luma.

Noun

1. a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains

   Synonyms

   drachmdrachma

   Broader terms

   apothecaries' unitapothecaries' weight

2. 1/16 ounce or 1.771 grams

   Broader terms

   avoirdupois unit

3. the basic unit of money in Armenia

   Broader terms

   Armenian monetary unit