écu
noun
the shield carried by a mounted man-at-arms in the Middle Ages.
écu
1 American
[ay-kyoo, ay-ky]
/ eɪˈkju, eɪˈkü /
noun
-
écus
plural
-
the shield carried by a mounted man-at-arms in the Middle Ages.
-
any of various gold and silver coins of France, issued from the 13th through the 18th centuries, bearing the figure of a shield.
ECU
2
American
[ay-koo, ee-see-yoo]
/ eɪˈku, ˈiˈsiˈju /
noun
E.C.U.
3
American
abbreviation
écu
1
British
/ eɪˈkjuː, eky /
noun
-
any of various former French gold or silver coins
-
a small shield
ECU
2
British
/ ˈiːˈsiːˈjuː, ˈeɪkjuː /
acronym
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A pistole now represents 10 francs, and an écu 3 francs.
From Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine by Edward Harrison Barker
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 Major W. E Frye
The marcandiers had to pay an écu; they were tramps clothed in a tolerably good doublet, who passed themselves off as merchants ruined by war, by fire, or by having been robbed on the highway.
From Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by P. L. Jacob
Charles would not or could not contribute a single écu d'or, and Joan had to solicit help and funds from the towns.
From Joan of Arc by Ronald Sutherland Gower
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 Charles Reade
The ECU finding has been reported to the management of BBC Content.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
According to ECU Associate Professor Catherine Bondonno, the protective effect associated with nitrate-rich vegetables may be related to how the body processes nitrate.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026
“Our guys are swinging and missing it by, like, three feet,” ECU coach Cliff Godwin said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
Scottish Borders Council says that all parties have their opportunity to comment directly on applications which either go before them, if below 50MW, or to the ECU.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2024
The Council shall, acting according to the same procedure, also take the other measures necessary for the rapid introduction of the ECU as the single currency of those Member States.
From The Treaty of the European Union, Maastricht Treaty, 7th February, 1992 by European Union
As a holder of two degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and as an assistant professor at E.C.U.,
From Time Magazine Archive
Statement, E.C.U., for "The New Gospel of Interpretation; being an Abstract of the Doctrine and Statement of the Objects of the Esoteric Christian Union," by E.M.; revised and enlarged edition, 1892.
From The Story of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and of the new Gospel of Interpretation by Edward Maitland
It would be ridiculous for an outsider, like myself, to discuss the interior working of the E.C.U., so I avail myself of the testimony which has reached me from within.
From Prime Ministers and Some Others A Book of Reminiscences by George William Erskine Russell
One of their wives is discussing the E.C.U. and the S.S.C. with a hitherto silent curate, and the other is jabbering botany to a red-faced warrior.
From Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines by Henry Vizetelly
E.C.U., for "The Esoteric Christian Union," founded by E.M. in 1891.
From The Story of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and of the new Gospel of Interpretation by Edward Maitland
The prince afterwards sold his commission as viceroy to the Duke of Montmorency, Admiral of France, for the sum of thirty thousand écus.
From The Makers of Canada: Champlain by N.-E. (Narcisse-Eutrope) Dionne
His merchandise which was seized by Kirke was valued at about forty thousand écus.
From The Makers of Canada: Champlain by N.-E. (Narcisse-Eutrope) Dionne
Fifty écus; that was one hundred and fifty francs!
From Nobody's Boy Sans Famille by Florence Crewe-Jones
Arnaud had two horses at his mother's farm; he lent one to Gaspard, I borrowed mine for two écus.
From In the Day of Adversity by John Bloundelle-Burton
This, one reads in the court chronicle, and further that: "The royal family usually lost a hundred thousand écus at play at each visit."
From Royal Palaces and Parks of France by Blanche McManus
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