CARACT

CARACT is also a certain weight which goldsmiths and jewellers use for weighing precious stones and pearls. In this sense the word is supposed by some to be derived from the Greek zizaron, a fruit which the Latins call siliqua, and we carob bean, each of which may weigh above four grains of wheat; and hence the Latin siliqua has been used for the weight of four grains. This carat weighs four grains; but they are sometimes lighter than the grains of other weights. Each of these grains is subdivided into $\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$, $\backslash frac\{1\}\{4\}$, $\backslash frac\{1\}\{8\}$, $\backslash frac\{1\}\{16\}$, &c.