1842 Mechanics' Mag. 36 192 The Industrial Society of Mulhausen..observe, that the usual estimation of horse~power is not uniform, and propose that the unit for France should be the force required to raise one kilogramme to the height of a metre in a second. To this unit they propose that the name of dyne..should be applied.]

1873 Brit. Assoc. Rep. 223 As regards the name to be given the C.G.S. unit of force, we recommend that it be a derivative of the Greek δύναμις. The form dynamy appears to be most satisfactory to etymologists. Dynam is equally intelligible, but awkward in sound to English ears. The shorter form, dyne..will probably be generally preferred in this country.

1873 Brit. Assoc. Rep. 224 The weight of a gramme, at any part of the earth's surface, is about 980 dynes, or rather less than a kilodyne.

1874 in L. Campbell & W. Garnett Life J. C. Maxwell (1882) 633 This string, you said, is strained too far, 'Tis forty dynes at least too tight.

1889 A. W. Poyser Magn. & Electr. 97 By a charge of one unit is meant that charge on a very small body, which, if placed at a distance of one centimetre from an equal and similar charge, repels it with a force of one dyne.