avoirdupois
English
Etymology
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)
- The official system of weights used in UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
- The official system of weights used in USA between 1866 and 1959.
- 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.
- 1915, Jack London, The Little Lady of the Big House
See also
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