Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

 About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ
Dec 16, 2009
This week's theme
Miscellaneous words

This week's words
anomie
simulacrum
avoirdupois
arrogate
pother
Internet Anagram Server
I, Rearrangement Servant
May I try your name?
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

avoirdupois

PRONUNCIATION:
(av-ur-duh-POIZ, -PWA)

MEANING:
noun: Heaviness or weight of a person.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English avoir de pois (goods sold by weight), from Old French aveir de peis (goods of weight), originally referred to things sold in bulk.

USAGE:
"Both McKay and Welles are tall and carry a fair amount of avoirdupois."
Sam Allis; Getting Orson Welles Just Right; Boston Globe; Dec 6, 2009.

See more usage examples of avoirdupois in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The vanquished know war. They see through the empty jingoism of those who use the abstract words of glory, honor, and patriotism to mask the cries of the wounded, the senseless killing, war profiteering, and chest-pounding grief. -Chris Hedges, journalist, author, and war correspondent (b. 1956)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith