avoirdupois
noun
[ ˌavwɑːdjʊˈpwɑː ]
• a system of weights based on a pound of 16 ounces or 7,000 grains, widely used in English-speaking countries.
• "avoirdupois weights"
Origin:
Middle English (denoting merchandise sold by weight): from Old French aveir de peis ‘goods of weight’, from aveir ‘to have’ (infinitive used as a noun, from Latin habere ) + peis ‘weight’ (see poise1).
