service weightn.adj.
/ˈsəːvɪs weɪt/, U.S. /ˈsərvəs ˌweɪt/ A. n.† 1. Military. The weight of projectile or ordnance specified for use in a particular piece of artillery. Obsolete.
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1866 Engineering 27 Apr. 278/1 In the Parrott guns the service weight of projectile per ton weight of gun is heavier than in the wrought iron Woolwich guns.
1900 G. T. Teasdale-Buckell Experts on Guns & Shooting xxxvi. 536 When a gun has been proved in this way it is to be marked as follows, ‘nitro proof oz. maximum’, indicating the service weight of shot to be used.
2. The weight of a locomotive, aircraft, vehicle, or machine when fully equipped, fuelled, and ready for service, but before it is loaded.Cf. all-up weight at all-up adj. 1.
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1888 Engineer 13 July 22/1 The weights of the locomotives themselves are not given in the table.., but the average service weight will have been as follows.
1903 Cassier's Mag. Nov. 43/2 The service weight of this engine is about 50 tons, and its normal capacity is 270 tons of train load.
1977 Pilot's Weight & Balance Handbk. (U.S. Flight Standards Service) i. 2/2 Most service weight pickup is the known weight of actual parts installed in repair, overhaul, and modification.
1991 Mining Ann. Rev. (Nexis) June 207 Bulldozers have steadily increased in service weight as service requirements have increased.
2019 Tendersbiz (Nexis) 19 July City of Oldenburg seeks..purchase of a wheel loader, service weight approx. 6,300 kg.
3. North American. A weight and quality of fabric, clothes (esp. hosiery), etc., suitable for heavy wear. Now somewhat rare.
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1910 Democrat-Sentinel (Logan, Ohio) 13 Jan. (advt.) Ladies' Fine Hose... Service weight, full fashioned, newest shades.
1956 Dauphin (Manitoba) Herald & Press 16 Feb. 12/3 (advt.) Save substantially on ‘Mohawk’ hemmed cotton sheets & cases. High quality service weight from a well-known American mill.
1977 Xenia (Ohio) Daily Gaz. 12 Nov. 3/6 The catalog..offers ‘slim-seamed’ nylon stockings with cotton soles in a service weight.
1996 Gaz.-Tel. (Colorado Springs) 26 May d2/1 (advt.) Vinyl 54″ wide..service weight..all on rolls.
B. adj.
North American. Esp. of hosiery and footwear: of a weight and quality suitable for heavy wear. Now historical.
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society > trade and finance > merchandise > [adjective] > condition or quality of goods
middling1550
pedlaryc1555
shop-rid1620
shopworn1666
loyal1690
braided1721
country-damaged1847
shop-soiled1865
shoddy1882
as new1898
low-end1899
service weight1919
designer1940
high-end1956
loaded1968
market-leading1972
pound shop1989
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [adjective] > durable
lastinga1375
durable1398
perdurable?a1425
during1601
hard-wearing1850
heavy-duty1914
service weight1919
1919 Kansas City (Missouri) Times 5 Nov. 3/2 (advt.) Allover dark brown and black 9-inch Boots—high leather Lewis heel, plain toe, service weight sole.
1952 Weekly Times (Melbourne) 26 Nov. 1/2 (advt.) Very latest lattice front—low-cut White Buck model, with service-weight leather soles, low comfy heels, ideal for summer weather wear.
2012 S. W. Albert Darling Dahlias & Confederate Rose (2013) 168 She..peeled off her stockings... These were rayon service-weight stockings, reasonably sheer.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1866