avoirdupois

English

Etymology

From Middle English avoir de pois, aver de peis, haburdy poyse, haburdepays, haburdepeyse, from Old French avoir + du + pois (“good of weight”); compare Modern French poids (“weight”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/, /ˌævɑːdjuːˈpwɑː/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌævɚdəˈpɔɪz/

Noun

avoirdupois (uncountable)

1. (historical) The official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
2. (historical) The official system of weights used in the USA between 1866 and 1959.
3. Weight; heaviness.
   • 1915, Jack London, The Little Lady of the Big House

     It seems humanly reasonable that the three of us can woman-handle a mere man of your elderly and insulting avoirdupois.

See also

• AF
• metric
• troy weight