pistareen

American  

[pis-tuh-reen] / ˌpɪs təˈrin /

noun

1. peseta.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of pistareen

1735–45, perhaps alteration of Spanish peseta peseta

Example Sentences

You are nothing but a pistareen, and rather smooth at that.

From Wreaths of Friendship A Gift for the Young by Woodworth, Francis C. (Francis Channing)

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 Coffin, Charles Carleton

The high Germans above us, like that Herkimer you saw here Tuesday, do you think they care a pistareen for the King?

From In the Valley by Frederic, Harold

He's nothing but a pistareen, and hardly that.

From Wreaths of Friendship A Gift for the Young by Woodworth, Francis C. (Francis Channing)

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 McMaster, John Bach