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

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

A gallon contains 8.33 pounds avoirdupois weight of distilled water.

From Practical Mechanics for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough

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

One felt that each had measured the other by avoirdupois weight, and had found the balance even.

From The Lowest Rung Together with The Hand on the Latch, St. Luke's Summer and The Understudy by Cholmondeley, Mary

The quantity of each of the ingredients contained in one portion of soup is as follows:                       In avoirdupois weight.

From Essays; Political, Economical, and Philosophical — Volume 1 by Rumford, Benjamin, Graf von