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Piastre: meaning, definitions and examples

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piastre

 

[ pɪˈæstər ]

Noun
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.

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

Etymology

The term 'piastre' originates from the Italian word 'piastra', meaning 'plate' or 'sheet', which itself was derived from the Latin word 'plastrum'. It was historically associated with various coins and currencies, particularly in areas that were influenced by the Mediterranean trade. In the Ottoman Empire, the term was used for a silver coin that served as a common currency in many provinces. As the use of the piastre spread across regions such as Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria, it adapted to local economies and became a standard unit of currency, echoing the historical linkage to European trade routes and the spread of currencies based on precious metals.

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.