avoirdupois weight

American  

noun

1. a system of weight measurement based on a pound of 16 ounces or 7,000 grains, in wide use in English-speaking countries; the system is used for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs: 27 11/32 grains = 1 dram; 16 drams = 1 ounce; 16 ounces = 1 pound; 112 pounds (Brit.) or 100 pounds (U.S.) = 1 hundredweight; 20 hundredweight = 1 ton. The pound contains 7000 grains. av.; avdp.; avoir.

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avoirdupois weight Scientific  

/ ăv′ər-də-poiz′ /

1. A system of weights and measures based on a pound containing 16 ounces or 7,000 grains, and equal to 453.59 grams. Avoirdupois weight is used in the United States to weigh everything except gems, precious metals, and drugs.

2. Compare troy weight

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Etymology

Origin of avoirdupois weight

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Black pepper, an ounce; allspice, half an ounce, pounded fine.Nutmeg grated, a quarter of an ounce, avoirdupois weight.

From The Cook's Oracle; and Housekeeper's Manual by Kitchiner, William

Of lemon-thyme,Winter savoury,Sweet marjoram,Sweet basil,—half an ounce of each.Lemon-peel grated, two drachms.Eschalots, the same.Celery-seed, a drachm, avoirdupois weight.

From The Cook's Oracle; and Housekeeper's Manual by Kitchiner, William

It should not be confused with avoirdupois weight, however, because its pound contains only 12 ounces, whereas the avoirdupois pound contains 16 ounces.

From Woman's Institute Library of Cookery Volume 1: Essentials of Cookery; Cereals; Bread; Hot Breads by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

The ladies' coloured muslin dresses, mentioned in the table subjoined, cost ten shillings per dress, and each weigh six ounces; the cotton from which they are made weighing nearly six and two-ninth ounces avoirdupois weight.

From On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures by Babbage, Charles

The introduction either of the troy or avoirdupois weight into the definition of our unit, will throw that unit under the uncertainties now enveloping the troy and avoirdupois weights.

From Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3 by Randolph, Thomas Jefferson