‖ aam
(ɑːm, ɔːm)
Forms: 5–7 alm(e; 7 awme, aume; 7–8 ame, awm, aum.
[Du. aam (pl. amen); cogn. w. mod.G. ahm, ohm; MHG. âme, ôme; OHG. âma, ôma a cask; ON. âma a tub; a. L. ăma, hăma; ad. Gr. ἄµη a water-bucket. Aam is the mod.Du. spelling, the Eng. forms being only historical.]
A Dutch and German liquid measure, formerly used in England for Rhenish wine; a cask. It varied in different continental cities from 37 to 41 gallons.
| 1502 Arnold Chron. (1811) 189 The rood of reynysh wyne of Dordreight is x. awames, and euery awme is l. galons. 1526 Ord. for Royal Househ. Henry VIII, 195 Renish wine 4 fatts, every fat containing 3 Almez, at 30s. the Alme. 1604 Act 1 James I, c. xxxii (granting Tonnage and Poundage), Of euery Awme of Rhenish Wine, that is, or shall so come in, twelue pence. 1696 Phillips, Auln or Aum of Renish Wine, a measure containing 40 Gallons, and as many pints over and above. 1717 Blount Law Dict., I find in a very old printed Book thus:—The Rood of Rhenish-wine of Dordreight is ten Awames, and every Awame is fifty Gallons; item the Rood of Antwarp is xliij Awames, and every Awame is xxxv Gallons. 1721 Bailey, Aulne Of Rhenish Wine, a Vessel that contains 40 Gallons. 1731 Ibid. vol. II Ame (of Antwerp) a vessel containing 50 stoops, each stoop 7 pints English measure. |