avoirdupois weight
LowFormal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A system of weights based on a pound of 16 ounces, traditionally used for most goods except precious metals, gems, and drugs.
Informal: Heaviness or bodily weight of a person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical term for a measurement system. In informal use ("avoirdupois"), it's a humorous or euphemistic way to refer to someone's weight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The system is formally understood in both regions, though both now officially use metric. The informal meaning is slightly more established in American English.
Connotations
Technical and historical. Informal use is often jocular or self-deprecating.
Frequency
Very low in everyday speech. Found in historical, trade, or legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [commodity] was measured in avoirdupois weight.The [object] weighed [number] pounds avoirdupois.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To carry a bit of extra avoirdupois.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Historical trade documents, pre-metric commodity sales.
Academic
Historical studies, metrology (science of measurement).
Everyday
Virtually never used in core sense. Informal "avoirdupois" for personal weight.
Technical
Precise definition in metrology; 1 avoirdupois pound = 7,000 grains.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The merchant preferred to avoirdupois his goods, but the contract demanded metric.
adjective
British English
- The avoirdupois pound differs from the troy pound.
American English
- He's watching his diet to shed some avoirdupois pounds.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the UK before 1971, many goods were sold using avoirdupois weight.
- After the holidays, I'm carrying a little extra avoirdupois.
- The legal definition of the pound, as stated in the Weights and Measures Act, refers to the avoirdupois pound of 7,000 grains.
- The apothecary used troy weight for medicines, but the grocer used avoirdupois weight for flour and sugar.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AVOIRDUPOIS: A Very Old Way Of Indicating Real Pounds, Ounces, In Shops.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEIGHT IS A MEASURABLE SUBSTANCE (systematized).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'авердюпуа' – it is not a common Russian word. The system is 'американская/британская система мер'. The informal meaning has no direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'avoirdupoise', 'averdupois'. Mispronouncing the 's' at the end (it is silent). Using it as a synonym for all imperial measurement (it's only weight).
Practice
Quiz
The 'avoirdupois weight' system is primarily contrasted with which other system?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Officially, the UK and US use the metric system for trade. However, the avoirdupois pound and ounce remain in common use in the US for body weight and everyday items, and informally in the UK.
It comes from Old French 'aveir de peis' meaning 'goods of weight' or 'property of weight'.
An avoirdupois ounce measures weight/mass. A fluid ounce measures volume. They are different units for different properties.
Yes, informally to mean 'bodily weight' (e.g., 'He's watching his avoirdupois'). Technically, 'avoirdupois' is shorthand for 'avoirdupois weight'.