How Do You Spell AVOIRDUPOIS?

Pronunciation: [ɐvwˈɑːdjuːpwˌɑː] (IPA)

The word "avoirdupois" is spelled with 13 letters, but it is pronounced differently than its spelling might suggest. According to the IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ˌævwərdəˈpɔɪz/. The stress is on the second syllable, and the final "s" is silent. The word comes from Old French and refers to a system of weight measurement used primarily in the United States. Despite its complexity, the word is relatively common in discussions of weights and measurements.

AVOIRDUPOIS Meaning and Definition

1. Avoirdupois is a term that refers to a system of weights used primarily in the United States and other English-speaking countries for measuring heavy objects or substances. It is based on the pound, which is divided into 16 ounces. This system is commonly used for measuring the weight of people, large animals, and manufacturing materials.

   In addition to pounds and ounces, the avoirdupois system also includes higher units such as the ton and lower units such as the dram and grain. The ton is equal to 2,000 pounds, while the dram is equal to 1/256 of a pound and the grain is equal to 1/7000 of a pound. These various units provide flexibility in measuring different weights.

   Avoirdupois is different from the metric system, which is preferred in most countries outside of the United States. While the metric system is based on multiples of ten, the avoirdupois system is based on a binary progression, with each higher unit being double the weight of the previous one.

   The term "avoirdupois" originated from the medieval French word "aveir de pois", which means "goods of weight." It has been used for centuries and continues to be employed in various industries and applications, although it is less common than the metric system.

2. A system of weights in which 16 ounces make a pound; the pound is the equivalent of 453.6 grams.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Goods that sell by weight; the weight of 16 oz. to the pound employed in the selling of all kinds of goods sold by weight, except silver and gold.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for AVOIRDUPOIS

• zvoirdupois
• svoirdupois
• wvoirdupois
• qvoirdupois
• acoirdupois
• aboirdupois
• agoirdupois
• afoirdupois
• aviirdupois
• avkirdupois
• avlirdupois
• avpirdupois
• av0irdupois
• av9irdupois
• avourdupois
• avojrdupois
• avokrdupois
• avoordupois
• avo9rdupois
• avoirdupoiz
• avoirdupoi
• avoirdupoiss
• aveirdupois
• avehirdupois

Etymology of AVOIRDUPOIS

The word "avoirdupois" comes from Old French and has a multi-layered etymology. It can be traced back to the phrase "aveir de pois" in Anglo-Norman, which means "goods of weight". The term "avoirdupois" was then borrowed from Anglo-Norman into Middle English, where it referred specifically to the system of weights used for heavy goods or commodities.

The components of the term "avoirdupois" can be broken down as follows:

1. "Aveir" is a variant of the Old French word "aveir" meaning "goods" or "property".

2. "De" indicates "of" or "from".

3. "Pois" is a variant of the Old French word "peis", derived from Latin "pes" meaning "weight". "Pois" later evolved into "pois" in modern French.

Plural form of AVOIRDUPOIS is AVOIRDUPOISES