obolus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an ancient Greek coin, especially a small silver coin worth one sixth of a drachma

   The juror received an obolus as part of his modest payment for public service.

2. 2
   noun

   an ancient Greek unit of weight equal to one sixth of a drachma, with its exact mass varying by standard and period

   The catalogue records the tiny weight as one obolus under the local Attic standard.

Borrowed through Latin obolus from Ancient Greek obolos, a small coin and weight. The Greek form is related to obelos, 'spit' or 'skewer'; the traditional explanation links the monetary name to iron spits once used as stores of value.

Topics