avoirdupois

plural avoirdupoises · alternative archaic averdupois

1. historicaluncountableusuallyThe official system of weights used in the UK between 1856 and 1963. It had been the customary system in London since 1300.
2. historicaluncountableusuallyThe official system of weights used in the USA between 1866 and 1959.
3. humorousuncountableusuallyWeight; heaviness.

   It seems humanly reasonable that the three of us can woman-handle a mere man of your elderly and insulting avoirdupois.

   1915, Jack London, The Little Lady of the Big House

   1 more example

   The detective sergeant, who was called Munro, more than made up for Cullen's advance in the avoirdupois department. Lean to the point of emaciation, Munro was also a paragon of contemporary fashion. He was clad in a hideous brown suit […]

   2012, Frank Lean, Boiling Point

4. obsoleteuncountableusuallyMerchandise.

   From that mountain go men to the city of Thauriso that was wont to be clept Taxis, that is a full fair city and a great, and one of the best that is in the world for merchandise; thither come all merchants for to buy avoirdupois, and it is in the land of the Emperor of Persia.

   1357, John Mandeville, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, modernized spelling edition