dirhem

American  

[dir-hem, dih-rem, dir-uhm] / dɪrˈhɛm, dɪˈrɛm, ˈdɪr əm /

noun

1. any of various fractional silver coins issued in Islamic countries at different periods.

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Etymology

Origin of dirhem

First recorded in 1780–90; variant of dirham

Example Sentences

The "mithḳál" is the weight of a deenár, or a dirhem and a half,—in Cairo, about 71-1/2 or 72 English grains.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus I remained until day came, and I awoke, and found myself outside the garden, with a large sharp knife upon my stomach, and an iron dirhem;30 and I trembled with fear, and took them with me and returned to the house.

From Project Gutenberg

And as I entered, I fell down prostrate, throwing the knife and dirhem from my hand, and fainted; and when I recovered, I acquainted her with that which had befallen me, and said to her, I shall not attain my desire.

From Project Gutenberg

But I replied, I conjure thee by Allah that thou495 explain to me the meaning of the knife and the iron dirhem.

From Project Gutenberg

"Dirhem," I have before mentioned, is the name of a silver coin: it is also the name of a weight, very nearly equivalent to forty-eight English grains; and being here described as of iron, we must understand it in the latter sense.

From Project Gutenberg