AVOIRDUPOIS, the name of a weight, derived from the French, avoir du poids, to have weight. Its pound contains 16 ounces, in distinction to the pound troy which has only 12. This weight is used for groceries and all other commodities except the precious metals, gems, and medicines. The pound avoirdupois contains 7000 grains troy, and is equal to 8532.5 Paris grains. See WEIGHTS and MEASURES.