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demonetize

[dee-mon-i-tahyz, -muhn-]
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verb (used with object), de·mon·e·tized, de·mon·e·tiz·ing.
  1. to divest (a monetary standard or the like) of value.
  2. to withdraw (money or the like) from use.
  3. to deprive (an issue of postage stamps) of validity by legal methods and without marking the stamps themselves.
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Also especially British, de·mon·e·tise.

Origin of demonetize

From the French word démonétiser, dating back to 1850–55. See de-, monetize
Related formsde·mon·e·ti·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for demonetization

Historical Examples

  • The House or the Senate, I 've forgotten which, had passed the demonetization bill.

    The Cross-Cut

    Courtney Ryley Cooper

  • But what shall be said in defense of the demonetization of silver by the United States?

    Money

    John P. Jones

  • He's our greatest authority on the demonetization of wampum.

    The Main Chance

    Meredith Nicholson

  • It is the fact of monetization for one of the metals, and demonetization for the other.

    The Arena

    Various

  • The demonetization of silver, which has taken place in various countries.

British Dictionary definitions for demonetization

demonetize

demonetise

verb (tr)
  1. to deprive (a metal) of its capacity as a monetary standard
  2. to withdraw from use as currency
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Derived Formsdemonetization or demonetisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for demonetization

n.

1852, from French démonétisation, from démonetiser (see demonetize).

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demonetize

v.

1852, from French démonitiser, from de- (see de-) + monetiser (see monetize).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper