lira

[ leer-uh; Italian lee-rah ]

/ ˈlɪər ə; Italian ˈli rɑ /

noun, plural li·re [leer-ey; Italian lee-re] /ˈlɪər eɪ; Italian ˈli rɛ/, li·ras.

a coin and monetary unit of Italy until the euro was adopted, equal to 100 centesimi. Abbreviation: L., Lit.

a monetary unit of Malta, San Marino, and the Vatican City until the euro was adopted.

a silver, bronze, or chrome steel coin and monetary unit of Turkey, equal to 100 kurus; equal to 100 piasters before 1933; Turkish pound. Abbreviation: TL.

Nearby words

Origin of lira

1610–20; < Italian < Old Provençal lieura < Latin lībra pound

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lira

Ismail Adin, another shop owner in Beyoglu, also said sales of alcohol were down, from about 5,000 Lira a day to 2,000 Lira.
With New Turkish Liquor Ban, Raki Goes Underground|Thomas Seibert|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I get 400 Turkish lira ($198) a month and 300 of that goes on rent.
Syria’s Christians Flee Kidnappings, Rape, Executions|Jamie Dettmer|November 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
For I feel sure that you will undertake the business I ask, for love of me and a commission of a lira of piccoli for each ducat.
Arethusa|F. Marion Crawford
Lira nodded and took an unusually large bite out of the loaf.
The Little Spanish Dancer|Madeline Brandeis

I had imagined him to be but a chance acquaintance of the Lira family, having little or no personal interest in their doings.
A Roman Singer|F. Marion Crawford
Third, there were two obligato instruments, the pipe used in the duet of the two shepherds, and the "lira" played by Orpheus.
Some Forerunners of Italian Opera|William James Henderson
On account of the name of the doge this coin was known as the Lira Tron for centuries.
The History of Currency, 1252 to 1896|William Arthur Shaw

British Dictionary definitions for lira

lira

/ (ˈlɪərə, Italian ˈliːra) /

noun plural lire (ˈlɪərɪ, Italian ˈliːre) or liras

the former standard monetary unit of Italy, San Marino, and the Vatican City, divided into 100 centesimi; replaced by the euro in 2002

Also called: pound the standard monetary unit of Turkey, divided into 100 kuruş

the former standard monetary unit of Malta, divided into 100 cents or 1000 mils; replaced by the euro in 2008

Word Origin for lira

Italian, from Latin lībra pound

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 lira

lira

Italian monetary unit, 1610s, from Italian lira, literally "pound," from Latin libra (see Libra).