noun
- plural of steelyard: a balance or scale with unequal arms, used for weighing objects by moving a weight along the longer arm until equilibrium is achieved
Usage: historical; technical
Examples
- The merchant used steelyards to weigh grain at the market.
- Ancient steelyards were commonly made of bronze or iron.
- The museum displayed several Roman steelyards from archaeological sites.
- Traditional steelyards required skill to operate accurately.
- These steelyards could weigh objects up to fifty pounds.
- The antique dealer specialized in collecting old steelyards and other measuring devices.