avoirdupois
The official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963The official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
Meaning
4 senses(historical, uncountable, usually)The official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
a system of weights based on the 16-ounce pound (or 7,000 grains)
(historical, uncountable, usually)The official system of weights used in the USA between 1866 and 1959.
(humorous, uncountable, usually)Weight; heaviness.
excess bodily weight
(obsolete, uncountable, usually)Merchandise.
Origin
From Middle English avoir de pois, aver de peis, haburdy poyse, haburdepays, haburdepeyse,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”).
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Forms
plural: avoirdupoisesSynonyms
4 synonyms- a system of weights based on the 16-ounce pound (or 7,000 grains):avoirdupois weight
- excess bodily weight:fatnessfatblubber
Word family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable