solidus

noun

sol·​i·​dus ˈsä-lə-dəs 

plural solidi ˈsä-lə-ˌdī 

-ˌdē

1

: an ancient Roman gold coin introduced by Constantine (4th century) and used to the fall of the Byzantine Empire (15th century)

2

[Medieval Latin, shilling, from Late Latin; from its use as a symbol for shillings] : slash sense 4

Examples of solidus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Before then, the Greek drachma held its value for six centuries, the Byzantine solidus for more than seven centuries, the Arab dinar for about four centuries, and the Spanish silver dollar for about four centuries. —Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 10 July 2022

One such fragment was cut from a gold solidus minted in Constantinople by ninth-century Byzantine emperor Theophilos. —Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin, solid

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1