Definition

Noun: 1. A unit of currency: A piastre is a monetary unit, specifically a subunit of the lira in Turkey, where 100 piastres equal 1 lira. It is also a fractional monetary unit in several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria. 2. A historical coin: The term can also refer to various silver coins, such as the Spanish peso or dollar, that were historically used in trade.

Usage

The word "piastre" is used to specify a unit of currency, typically in a financial or historical context. It is often encountered when discussing the monetary systems of specific countries.

Examples

• In Turkey, prices were sometimes listed in both lira and piastre, though the piastre is now rarely used.
• The old coin collection included a Spanish piastre from the 18th century.
• The cost was five lira and forty piastres.

Advanced Usage

• The term can appear in historical texts or literature describing trade, economics, or travel in regions that used this currency.
• In modern contexts, references to the piastre often pertain to accounting or the historical value of items, as its practical use as physical currency has diminished in many places.

Variants and Related Words

• Piaster: An alternative spelling of "piastre."
• Kurus: The Turkish name for the piastre unit.
• Qirsh: The Arabic name for the piastre unit, used in several countries.

Synonyms

• Cent (in a general sense of a fractional monetary unit)
• Penny (in a general sense of a small currency unit)
• Subunit

Different Meanings

1. Modern Fractional Unit: Its primary contemporary meaning is as a defined fraction (1/100) of a national currency like the Turkish lira.
2. Historical Coin: Its secondary meaning refers to specific silver coins of the past, such as the Spanish piece of eight, which was a major international trade coin.

Notes

• The value and usage of the piastre vary significantly by country. In some nations, it remains a formal unit of account, while in others, it is obsolete.
• Due to inflation, the piastre often has very little purchasing power where it is still officially recognized.

Noun

1. 100 kurus equal 1 lira in Turkey
2. a fractional monetary unit in Egypt and Lebanon and Sudan and Syria