line

1

In the United States, 19^th – 20^th centuries (United Nations 1966), a unit of length, = 0.025 inches (40 lines = 1 inch). Now used only for the diameters of buttons, formerly also used for the diameters of watchglasses.

This unit is directly derived from the British and French ligne, which see.

sources

“Provided, That the term ‘line’ as used in this paragraph shall mean the line button measure of one-fortieth of one inch.”

Tariff Act of 1922, 42 Stat., ch. 356, paragraph 1410:

2

In Great Britain, 17^th – 20^th century, a unit of length, approximately 0.0833… inches (12 lines = 1 inch).

Alexander (1850), usually a trustworthy source, characterizes the above definition as the “artificer's” line in England, and defines the ordinary line as 0.1 inch.

3

A synonym for the maxwell.

4

In Paraguay, a unit of land area, 7,500 square meters (about 1.85 acres). Also called a liño.