shekel

[ shek-uhl ]

noun
  1. Also sheq·el . a paper money, cupronickel or silver coin, and monetary unit of Israel equal to 100 agorot: replaced the pound in 1980.

  2. an ancient, originally Babylonian, unit of weight, of varying value, taken as equal to the fiftieth or the sixtieth part of a mina or to about a quarter to half an ounce.

  1. a coin of this weight, especially the chief silver coin of the ancient Hebrews.

  2. shekels, Slang. money; cash.

Origin of shekel

1
First recorded in 1550–60, shekel is from the Hebrew word sheqel

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How to use shekel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shekel

shekel

sheqel

/ (ˈʃɛkəl) /


noun
  1. the standard monetary unit of modern Israel, divided into 100 agorot

  2. any of several former coins and units of weight of the Near East

  1. (often plural) informal any coin or money

Origin of shekel

1
C16: from Hebrew sheqel

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