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

See Examples For:

dirhem

In his hand he held a sword of Indian steel, and he was mounted on a black horse with a white star, like a dirhem, on his forehead.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume II by John Payne

I arose trembling and taking the knife and the dirhem, went home where I found my cousin saying, "Verily, I am in this house wretched and sorrowful, having no helper but weeping."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume II by John Payne

Then, throwing the bag over his shoulder, he was going away, when he dropped a dirhem; so he laid the bag off his back and stooped down to pick it up.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume IV by John Payne

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 The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Anonymous

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

From The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Anonymous