obolus
Americannoun
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a modern Greek unit of weight equal to one tenth of a gram
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a silver coin of ancient Greece worth one sixth of a drachma
Etymology
Origin of obolus
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek obolós small coin, weight
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.
The obolus is valued by Mr. Hussey at something more than three half-pence; seven oboli and a half would therefore be about a shilling.
From The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis by Watson, John Selby
Why, if we sate here in rags, we wouldn't press in for an obolus before Belisarius.
From The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II by Kenyon, Frederic G. (Frederic George), Sir
"You are not called on to give me an obolus," rejoined Rodaja, "for I have not a grain of the fool about me!"
From The Exemplary Novels of Cervantes by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
We have seen that answer with a Belisarius-like air; and more than one hero without an obolus has stumbled upon a fortune merely from his contempt of riches.
From The Young Duke by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield
Other urns contained only some bones and the small coin which has been taken for Charon's obolus.
From The Wonders of Pompeii by Monnier, Marc
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
