avoirdupois
C1-C2 (Very Low Frequency)Technical/Specialised in its primary sense; Humorous/Figurative in its informal sense.
Definition
Meaning
A system of weights based on a pound of 16 ounces (or 7000 grains), used for all goods except precious metals, gems and medicines; or, informally, a person's body weight.
1) The imperial weight system for measuring mass of goods. 2) Informal/figurative: bodily weight or heaviness, often implying excess.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary technical sense is now largely obsolete in everyday use due to metrication, surviving mainly in specific commercial contexts or historical texts. The secondary, figurative sense is more likely to be encountered and carries a slightly humorous, often euphemistic tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The technical system is historically known in both regions but is now largely obsolete. The figurative sense is understood in both but is a low-frequency term.
Connotations
The figurative sense may carry a slightly more old-fashioned, whimsical connotation in British English.
Frequency
Extremely low in both. Its use in the UK might be marginally more frequent due to the historical persistence of imperial measurements.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [noun] was measured in avoirdupois.He carried a few extra pounds of avoirdupois.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Shed the avoirdupois (humorous) = to lose weight.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in historical documents for trade goods (e.g., 'sold by the avoirdupois pound').
Academic
Appears in historical, economic, or metrological texts discussing pre-metric measurement systems.
Everyday
Almost never used in its technical sense. The informal sense is a humorous, slightly archaic-sounding way to refer to body weight.
Technical
Used in metrology (the science of measurement) when discussing historical or imperial systems of weights.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The old ledger listed the wool in stones and hundredweights avoirdupois.
- After the holidays, I'm carrying a bit of unwanted avoirdupois.
American English
- The historical statute defined the standard pound as an avoirdupois pound.
- His doctor advised him to reduce his avoirdupois for better heart health.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the past, goods like sugar and flour were sold by avoirdupois weight.
- He joked about needing to lose some avoirdupois after the big meal.
- The transition from the avoirdupois system to the metric system was a major logistical undertaking for British industry.
- The article discussed the socioeconomic implications of 'avoirdupois stigma' in modern culture, using the term figuratively for weight bias.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AVOID + POISE' -> If you want to AVOID losing your POISE (graceful balance), watch your AVOIRDUPOIS (body weight).
Conceptual Metaphor
WEIGHT IS SUBSTANCE / EXCESS IS A BURDEN (in its figurative sense).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'avoir' (French for 'to have'). It is a fixed historical term.
- The primary technical sense corresponds to 'авердюпуа' or 'торговая система мер' but is largely irrelevant. The figurative sense is best translated as 'вес' or 'тяжесть', often with a humorous connotation.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'avoirdupoise', 'avoir dupois'.
- Mispronunciation: omitting the final 's' sound.
- Misuse: using it as a synonym for 'fat' in a direct/pejorative way—it's typically euphemistic/humorous.
Practice
Quiz
In modern informal usage, 'avoirdupois' most often refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For most official and scientific purposes, it has been replaced by the metric system. It survives informally in some countries (e.g., the US and UK) for body weight (pounds) and in some specific retail contexts, but the term 'avoirdupois' itself is rarely used.
The most common pronunciation is /ˌævədəˈpɔɪz/ (av-er-duh-POIZ), with the stress on the last syllable. The 's' is pronounced.
Avoirdupois is used for general goods (1 pound = 16 ounces). Troy weight is used for precious metals and gems (1 troy pound = 12 troy ounces). An avoirdupois ounce is lighter than a troy ounce.
Its technical use would be obscure. Using it figuratively to mean 'body weight' is possible but will sound deliberately humorous, old-fashioned, or euphemistic. It is not a common everyday word.