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

See Examples For:

avoirdupois weight

The quantity in the text, reduced to avoirdupois weight, amounts to twenty-eight hogsheads, at sixteen hundred weight each.--Astl.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 02 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert

I was dumb with astonishment and the mud, having swallowed eighteen ounces avoirdupois weight of the sacred soil of Mississippi while endeavoring to express my admiration of the performance of the mule.

From Incidents of the War: Humorous, Pathetic, and Descriptive by Burnett, Alf

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

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

Most people give gratitude in grains for whole ounces of avoirdupois weight; what a grateful soul yours is, Miss Lambert.'

From Heriot's Choice A Tale by Carey, Rosa Nouchette