n. 1. Abbr. pt. or p. a. A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 1/8 gallon or 16 ounces (0.473 liter). b. A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in dry measure, equal to 1/16 peck or 1/2 quart (0.551 liter). c. A unit of volume or capacity in the British Imperial System, used in dry and liquid measure, equal to 0.568 liter. See Table at measurement. 2. a. A container with a pint capacity. b. The amount of a substance that can be held in such a container. [Middle English pinte, a unit of volume, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *pīncta, mark on a container, from feminine of *pīnctus, alteration of Latin pictus, past participle of pingere, to paint; see peig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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