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Glite Dictionary
Greek drachma

Greek drachma

6.7
The old unit of money used in Greece before the euro
  • noun
  • /ɡrik ˈdrækmə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : drachma griega
  • Many collectors value the ancient Greek drachma for its historical significance.

Examples

  • The Greek drachma was the official currency of Greece before the euro was introduced in 2001.

  • The model suggests that the new Greek drachma would devalue by 55.2% at peak

    Blog text (9)

  • He found an old coin in his attic, identifying it as a Greek drachma from the classical era.

Synonyms

drachma
vsGreek drachma
5 9.9

Money used in Greece before the euro

is the modern former unit specifically replaced by the euro in 2001
drachm
vsGreek drachma
  • Archaic
9.9

An old Greek coin used to buy things

is the modern national currency unit replaced by the euro in 2001

Surface Forms

Greek drachma singular
Greek drachmas plural

Morphology

Greek + drachma

The phrase simply combines 'Greek' (pertaining to Greece) with 'drachma' (a unit of currency), so its meaning as the national currency of Greece is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a transparent, referential noun phrase following a common cross-linguistic pattern (national adjective + currency noun) and contains no idiomatic or metaphorical shift.

Etymology

Greek drachma: The name Greek drachma comes from the old Greek word drachma, which meant 'a handful' of metal or a small weight of silver used for paying. Because it began as the name for that amount of metal, it became the name for money in Greece, so the Greek drachma was the country's 'currency' until the euro replaced it.