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Glite Dictionary
Maltese lira

Maltese lira

8.9
Money that Malta used until 2008
  • noun
translation icon : lira maltesa
  • The Maltese lira was replaced by the euro in 2008.

Examples

  • He exchanged his euros for Maltese lira during his trip in 2007.

  • I had many Maltese liras saved up before the change.

  • Before switching to the euro, Malta used the Maltese lira as its currency.

  • The Maltese lira is now a part of the nation's monetary history.

  • Before switching to the euro, Malta used the Maltese lira as its currency.

  • The Maltese lira was replaced by the euro in 2008.

  • The Maltese lira is now a part of Malta's financial history.

Surface Forms

Maltese lira singular
Maltese liras plural

Morphology

Maltese + lira

The meaning (the currency unit of Malta) is directly and compositionally derived from 'Maltese' (of or from Malta) + 'lira' (a currency unit). This is a regular noun+modifier combination common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Maltese lira comes from the word lira, which may come from old Italian and Latin words for a 'pound' of weight and value. The picture to remember is a scale with a pound of metal as money, so Maltese lira simply meant 'Malta's money' before the euro.