English Explanatory Dictionary

avoirdupois

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
  2. The official system of weights used in the USA between 1866 and 1959.
  3. Weight; heaviness.
  4. Merchandise.

Pronunciation

/ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/ /ˌævwɑːdjuːˈpwɑː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-avoirdupois.wav /ˌævɚdəˈpɔɪz/

Word forms

avoirdupois avoirdupoises averdupois

Etymology

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

Related words

metric troy weight

Derived words

avoirdupois ounce avoirdupois pound
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