The Arroba: A Historical Unit of Weight and Measurement

Arroba is a unit of weight or measure that was historically used in various parts of the world, including Spain and Portugal. It is also known as an "arrob" or "arroba de plata".

The exact definition of the arroba varied depending on the location, but it was generally equivalent to about 11-12 pounds (5-6 kilograms) or 16-17 kilos. It was often used to measure the weight of goods such as grain, wine, and other commodities.

The term "arroba" is derived from the Arabic word "rabb", which means "to weigh". The use of the arroba as a unit of weight can be traced back to the Moors who introduced it to Spain during the Middle Ages. It remained in use in some parts of Spain and Portugal until the 19th century, when it was replaced by the metric system.

Today, the term "arroba" is still used in some contexts as a colloquialism or a historical reference, but it is no longer an official unit of measurement.