Also 7 catte, cate, 8 katty. [Malay-Javanese kātī, katī: see CADDY.] A weight used in China and the Eastern Archipelago, equal to 16 taels, i.e., 11/3 lb. avoird., or 625 grammes.
[1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind. (Arb.), 259. They receaued in Cambie For xvii. Cathyls of quicke syluer, one Bahar.]
1598. W. Phillips, trans. Linschotens Trav. Ind., 34 (Y.). Everie Catte is as much as 20 Portingall ounces.
1604. Capt. J. Davis, in Purchas, I. 123 (Y.). Their pound they call a Cate.
1609. Keeling, ibid. I. 199 (Y.). One cattie of spice.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pintos Trav., viii. § 1. 22. He gave me two Cates of Gold.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. I. vii. 132. 100 Catty make a Pecul, which is 132 l. English weight.
1771. J. R. Forster, P. Osbecks Voy., I. 262. A Katty or Chinese Kann is 1 lb. 1211/16 of half ounce.
1813. W. Milburn, Orient. Commerce, II. 496. Bringals 3 candareen per catty.
1857. R. Tomes, Amer. in Japan, 399. Water at the rate of six-hundred copper cash for 1000 Catties.