leu

¹

Also ley

[le-oo]

noun

plural

lei 

1. a coin and monetary unit of Romania, equal to 100 bani. L.

Leu

²

abbreviation

Biochemistry.

1. leucine.

leu

/ ˈleɪuː /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Romania and Moldova, divided into 100 bani

Word History and Origins

Origin of leu¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Romanian: literally, “lion”; based on Turkish arslanlι ( arslan “lion” + -lι adjective suffix), a name given to the Dutch rijksdaalder, which circulated in the later Ottoman Empire and bore the image of a lion ( lion ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of leu¹

from Romanian: lion

Example Sentences

"Although consumer prices in Romania are largely sensitive to the exchange rate, it could soon allow the central bank to let leu depreciate slightly."

From Reuters

The Romanian leu was down 0.1% against the euro on the day.

From Reuters

Through a skein of fog, the sun gleamed as hard and silver as a freshly minted leu.

From Literature

Economists say rising Romanian swap yields also signal central bank intervention to keep the leu stable.

From Reuters

Since its appearance in 1867, the Romanian leu has featured several unnamed female peasants but never a real historical figure.

From Reuters