Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

pistareen

American  
[pis-tuh-reen] / ˌpɪs təˈrin /

noun

  1. peseta.


adjective

  1. of little value or worth.

pistareen British  
/ ˌpɪstəˈriːn /

noun

  1. a Spanish coin, used in the US and the West Indies until the 18th century

"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

Etymology

Origin of pistareen

1735–45, perhaps alteration of Spanish peseta peseta

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:

The logical sequence of disbelief in what Mr. Emerson calls a "pistareen Providence" is a belief in pantheism or polytheism.

From Lessons in Life A Series of Familiar Essays by Timothy Titcomb

Many were so worn that a pistareen would bring only a Yankee shilling, sixteen and two-thirds cents; the half-pistareen, only eight cents; the real, ten; the half-real, five.

From History of the United States, Volume 2 by Elisha Benjamin Andrews

So, if I may not believe in a "pistareen Providence," I must make a God of the universe itself, or pass into the hands of many Gods the world's creation and governance.

From Lessons in Life A Series of Familiar Essays by Timothy Titcomb

These passed by such names as the Joe or Johannes, the doubloon, pistole, moidore, guinea, crown, dollar, shilling, sixpence, pistareen, penny.

From A Brief History of the United States by John Bach McMaster

You know, or you ought to know, the difference between a pistareen and a smooth-faced shilling.

From Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times 1769 - 1776 A Historical Romance by Charles Carleton Coffin

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training