écu

¹ American  

[ey-kyoo, ey-ky] / eɪˈkyu, eɪˈkü /

noun

plural

écus

1. the shield carried by a mounted man-at-arms in the Middle Ages.

2. any of various gold and silver coins of France, issued from the 13th through the 18th centuries, bearing the figure of a shield.

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ECU ² American  

[ey-koo, ee-see-yoo] / eɪˈku, ˈiˈsiˈyu /

noun

1. a former money of account of the European Common Market that was used in international finance until the euro was adopted and was based on the combined prorated values of the currencies of member nations.

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E.C.U. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. English Church Union.

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écu ¹ British  

/ eɪˈkjuː, eky /

noun

1. any of various former French gold or silver coins

2. a small shield

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ECU ² British  

/ ˈiːˈsiːˈjuː, ˈeɪkjuː /

acronym

1. European Currency Unit: a former unit of currency based on the composite value of several different currencies in the European Union and functioning as both the reserve asset and the accounting unit of the European Monetary System; replaced by the euro in 1999

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Etymology

Origin of écu¹

1695–1705; < French; Old French escu < Latin scūtum shield

Origin of ECU²

E(uropean) C(urrency) U(nit), perhaps with play on écu ( def. )

Example Sentences

Après la soupe, un coup d’excellent vin Tire un écu de la poche du médecin.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

The piètres, or lame rogues, paid half an écu, and walked with crutches.

From Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by Jacob, P. L.

Then taking a little leathern purse from his breast, he slipped an écu into the mountaineer's hand.

From A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest by Edwards, Amelia Ann Blanford

In which sport she was so taken up with her hands, that she forgot to cheat, and Denys won "écu au soleil" of her.

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Reade, Charles

The soudo Napoletano, a handsome silver coin of the size of an écu de six francs, is equal to twelve carlini.

From After Waterloo: Reminiscences of European Travel 1815-1819 by Frye, Major W. E