/ ˌævədəˈpɔɪz; ˌævwɑːdjuːˈpwɑː; NAmE ˌævərdəˈpɔɪz/ noun
[ U ] the system of weights based on the pound
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WORD 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 from an alteration of Latin pensum weight, from the verb pendere weigh.