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Glite Dictionary
bimetallism

bimetallism

9.9
A money system based on fixed amounts of gold and silver
  • noun
  • /ˌbaɪˈmɛtəlɪzəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bimetalismo
  • During the late 19th century, many politicians advocated for bimetallism as a solution to economic instability by using both gold and silver to back the currency.

Examples

  • "Well, Mr. Paul, I see you're another alarmist on bimetallism."

    Blog text (12)

  • In several nations, export- and import-competing industries and the silver industry lobbied to maintain paper money or silver money standards or to return to bimetallism.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The debate over bimetallism highlighted the differing opinions on how to stabilize the nation's economy during times of inflation.

  • Many countries experimented with bimetallism, hoping that a dual-metal standard would create a more reliable financial system.

Surface Forms

bimetallism singular
bimetallisms plural

Morphology

bimetallism = bimetal (transparent) = bi + metal + ism

Formed from 'bimetal' + '-ism'; 'bimetal' is transparently 'bi-' (two) + 'metal', so the overall formation denotes a doctrine/system concerning two metals.

Etymology

The word bimetallism comes from bi- ('two') and metal ('metal'). So it means a money system that uses two metals, usually gold and silver, to set the value of money.