bullion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   gold or silver in bulk form, especially bars or ingots valued by weight

   The bank stored bullion in a guarded vault.

2. 2
   noun

   a mass or stock of precious metal before it is made into coins or objects

   The mint bought bullion for coinage.

From Anglo-Norman bullion, of uncertain origin, possibly connected with French bouillon and the idea of melting. In economics it names precious metal by weight rather than as ornament or coin.

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