avoirdupois

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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.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/, /ˌævwɑːdjuːˈpwɑː/
• (America) IPA: /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. (mostly, humorous) Weight; heaviness.
4. (obsolete) Merchandise.

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