Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Piastre: meaning, definitions and examples

💰
Add to dictionary

piastre

 

[pɪˈæstər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

currency unit

The piastre is a historical unit of currency that was used in various countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. It was originally derived from the Spanish silver dollar and has been in circulation since the 19th century. Depending on the context, it can refer to different currencies, such as the Syrian piastre or the Egyptian piastre. Today's value may vary based on the specific country's economy and currency policies.

Synonyms

coin, currency.

Examples of usage

  • I exchanged my dollars for piastres at the local bank.
  • The price of goods in Egypt is often listed in piastres.
  • During my trip, I learned how to budget in piastres.
  • He saved up enough piastres to afford a new phone.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'piastre' originates from the Italian 'piastre' meaning 'piece' or 'plate', originally used to describe various coins.
  • In the 16th century, 'piastre' referred to Spanish and Italian silver coins that circulated widely in Europe.
  • The term was adopted in many languages, reflecting trade relationships across continents.

Historical Context

  • The piastre became prominent in the Ottoman Empire as a unit of currency, facilitating trade across the region.
  • Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the piastre continued to be used in several countries like Egypt and Lebanon.
  • In French colonial territories, the piastre served as a standard currency, impacting local economies.

Modern Usage

  • Countries like Syria and Lebanon still use variants of the piastre as part of their currency systems today.
  • In contemporary finance, the piastre's value can fluctuate based on economic conditions and inflation.
  • While not as common today, the piastre historically influenced the exchange trade of other currencies.

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, the piastre is associated with traditional markets, where bargaining and price negotiation are common.
  • Collecting old piastre coins has become a hobby for numismatists, showcasing their historical and artistic value.
  • The piastre is often depicted in literature and art as a symbol of trade and commerce across cultures.

World Connections

  • The piastre is a reminder of the interconnectedness of economies, where currencies reflect cultural histories.
  • As countries transitioned through colonialism, the piastre symbolized both oppression and economic development.
  • In global trade today, the piastre serves as a case study on how local currencies adapt in the global market.

Translations

Translations of the word "piastre" in other languages:

🇵🇹 piastra

🇮🇳 पियास्टर

🇩🇪 Piaster

🇮🇩 piastre

🇺🇦 піастр

🇵🇱 piastr

🇯🇵 ピアストル

🇫🇷 piastre

🇪🇸 piastra

🇹🇷 piyastre

🇰🇷 피아스트르

🇸🇦 بياسة

🇨🇿 piastre

🇸🇰 piastre

🇨🇳 比亚斯特

🇸🇮 piastra

🇮🇸 píastre

🇰🇿 пиястр

🇬🇪 პიასტი

🇦🇿 piyast

🇲🇽 piastra

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,183, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.