or avoirdupois weight (ˌævədəˈpɔɪz, ˌævwɑːdjuːˈpwɑː)
noun
a system of weights used in many English-speaking countries. It is based on the pound, which contains 16 ounces or 7000 grains. 100 pounds (US) or 112 pounds (Brit) is equal to 1 hundredweight and 20 hundredweights equals 1 ton
Abbreviation: avdp, avoir
Word origin
C14: from Old French aver de peis goods of weight
avoirdupois in American English
(ˌævərdəˈpɔɪz)
noun
1.
avoirdupois weight
2. US, Informal
heaviness or weight, esp. of a person
Word origin
ME aver de poiz < OFr aveir de peis < aveir, goods (< L habere, to have) + de (< L de), of + peis (< L pensum), weight