Definition

Noun: 1. A gold coin of the Byzantine Empire: A specific type of currency, the solidus or nomisma, minted in gold and used as the standard monetary unit of the Byzantine Empire for centuries. 2. A widely circulated medieval coin: This coin was not only used within the empire but also became a trusted and widely recognized form of currency in trade throughout Europe and the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The merchant paid for the silk with a single byzant.
  • Archaeologists discovered a hoard of silver pennies and several byzants.
  • The value of a byzant remained remarkably stable for long periods.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and Numismatic Context: The term is primarily used in historical, archaeological, and numismatic (coin-collecting) contexts. It refers specifically to the coin's physical and economic role in medieval history.
• As a Symbol: In literature, a can symbolize immense wealth, ancient authority, or long-distance trade.
  • The old map was said to be worth a king's ransom in byzants.

Variants and Related Words

• Bezant (n): An alternate and common spelling of .
• Solidus (n): The original Latin name for this gold coin.
• Nomisma (n): The Greek name for the Byzantine gold coin, especially in its later periods.

Synonyms

• Gold coin: A general term for any coin made of gold.
• Solidus: The direct Latin equivalent.
• (Historical) currency: A broader term for money used in a specific historical period.

Notes on Different Meanings

The word byzant has a single, specific historical meaning. It is not used in modern contexts or with figurative meanings unrelated to the coin itself. It is distinct from the adjective "Byzantine," which refers to the complex characteristics of the empire or its bureaucracy.

Noun

1. a gold coin of the Byzantine Empire; widely circulated in Europe in the Middle Ages