(thing) by eric+ Mon Jul 24 2000 at 17:35:53

In China, a picul was 1331/3 pounds. I'm only guessing, but I'll bet that the complete Webster 1913 definition is "In Borneo it is 135 pounds." Literally, a picul was supposed to be the maximum amount that a man could carry on his back.

Source:
    Sherman, Julie. "Silk in China circa 1840". http://www.smith.edu/hsc/silk/Papers/julie.html, ?.

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(definition) by Webster 1913 Wed Dec 22 1999 at 2:00:03

Pic"ul (?), n. [Jav. & Malay pikul, fr. pikul to carry on the back, to carry a burden; n., a man's burden.]

A commercial weight varying in different countries and for different commodities. In Borneo it is 135 [Written also pecul, and pecal.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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