piece of eight

American  

noun

1. peso.

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piece of eight British  

noun

1. a former Spanish coin worth eight reals; peso

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Etymology

Origin of piece of eight

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

It was a Spanish piece of eight," said Historian Truman, "and it was thrown across the Rappahannock .

From Time Magazine Archive

One piece of eight parts at Hampton Court was appraised at £8,260: this related to the History of Abraham.

From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883

After 1537 a handsome silver coin, known as the peso fuerte or "piece of eight" because each contained eight reals, was minted in America.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved

The piece of eight was divided into eight silver reals.

From Anson's Voyage Round the World The Text Reduced by Household, H. W.

The name was extended in the form "dollar" to other coins of similar size, notably the old Spanish "piece of eight."

From Anson's Voyage Round the World The Text Reduced by Household, H. W.