Baume (often abbreviated as "Be") is a unit of measurement for the specific gravity of liquids, particularly used in the hydrometer scale. It was developed by the French chemist Antoine Baumé in the 18th century. The Baumé scale is a linear scale that measures the density of liquids relative to water. A Baumé reading of 0° corresponds to the density of pure water at its maximum density point (4°C or 39°F), which is approximately 1 g/cm³. A higher Baumé reading indicates a denser liquid, while a lower reading indicates a less dense liquid. The Baumé scale is commonly used in industries such as brewing, winemaking, and oil refining.