drachma

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the standard unit of currency used in modern Greece before the euro was introduced

   The old receipt lists the purchase price in drachma rather than euros.

2. 2
   noun

   an ancient Greek unit of money and the silver coin representing it, with value varying by city and period

   The laborer received one drachma for a day's work in the Athenian account.

Through Latin drachma from Ancient Greek drakhme, traditionally understood as 'a handful' and related to a verb meaning 'to grasp.' The monetary name is often connected with a handful of six obols. Related borrowings include dram and, through other languages, dirham.

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