A furlong is a unit of length that is used primarily in horse racing and some other sports, as well as in some older systems of measurement. In modern terms, one furlong is equal to 1/8th of a mile. This is equivalent to 660 feet or 220 yards.
The term "furlong" has historical roots and was originally used in medieval England as a way to measure distances for plowing fields. Over time, it became associated with horse racing and is still used today to describe the length of a horse racing track. In horse racing, races are often measured in furlongs, and the distance of a race may be referred to as "6 furlongs" or "10 furlongs," for example.
While the furlong is not commonly used in everyday measurements, it is still relevant in certain specialized contexts, particularly in horse racing and related sports.
A "fingerbreadth" is a unit of length that is approximately equal to the width of an adult human finger. It is often used informally and in various historical and cultural contexts as a convenient way to estimate small lengths or distances. The actual measurement of a fingerbreadth can vary somewhat depending on the size of an individual's finger, but it is typically around 1 inch (about 2.54 centimeters) or slightly less.
In some historical systems of measurement, particularly in ancient cultures, the fingerbreadth was used as a standardized unit for measuring length. It was one of the smaller units within a larger system of measurement, often used for small-scale applications like measuring the dimensions of objects, architectural details, or jewelry.
While the fingerbreadth is not a commonly used unit of measurement in modern times, it remains a useful and intuitive way to approximate small lengths informally, especially when a quick estimate is needed.